But God proves his love for us in that while we still were sinners Christ died for us.
(Romans 5.8
NRSV)
After many years the young man returned to the old master. The old master recognized him immediately and asked what he had found. The young man said, "Alas, I have only found two of the three ingredients of genuine love." "Tell me what you have learned," said the master. "First of all, genuine love is life-giving. When you love and are loved, life itself is richer and more full. And love shared creates new life in children." "That is right," said the master. "Secondly, genuine love is a forever love. It stands the test of time. Genuine love is deepened by the passing of the years." "That is right," said the master. But then the countenance of the young man fell and he said, "That is all I have learned." The master said, "Are you willing to go out again and seek and learn and experience more?" "Oh, no," said the young man. "I am too tired." The old man smiled and said, "You have indeed found all of the ingredients of genuine love. For not only is true love life-giving and forever. Genuine love is very hard work."
Genuine love is very hard work; so is genuine religion. But we need that. A religion that costs us nothing has no power to lift our lives from the hum-drum to the extraordinary.
Dear God, may I work hard to get to know your love more deeply. Amen.