Friday, January 30, 2004
Friday, January 30, 2004
God's love was revealed among us in this way: God sent his only Son into the
world so that we might live through him.
(1 John 4.9
NRSV)
He had been born in an iron worker's family. Totally undistinguished as a young person he squeaked into the state college where he met this coed from a very wealthy family. Despite their differences they became fast friends. Then they became more than friends. Finally he was emboldened to seek her hand in marriage. She accepted! With ecstasy!!
He proved to be acceptable to her family and he did well in the family business. Despite the ensuing successes, however, he began to have doubts about himself--whether he belonged in such a world and whether he deserved the success that was his. His lack of self-worth was complicated by a growing attachment to alcohol. He began a tragic slide that caused him to conclude that everyone would be better off without him. Eventually he ended up diseased and alone.
Word of his problems had somehow gotten to his wife, and she made this trip to find him dying. Hugging the fallen man to her breast she wept, repeating over and over, "Ronnie, I've always loved you! Why couldn't you believe me?"
Why couldn't he believe her? Do we feel unworthy of God's great love? Are we afraid that God will ask us to do something we do not want to do? God is our natural home. God is the source of joy, love, and peace.
Lord Jesus, heal me and bring me close to God's love. Amen.
