A Love Story

I'm a sucker for love stories. 

Well, that may have been a bit of an extreme statement. 

I'm not much of an Anne of Green Gables, or Lifetime movie channel kind of guy, but I do count 

The Sound of Music as my favorite movie ever*. 

I wonder what it is in us that loves a good love story? 

Do we put ourselves in the shoes of the main characters

 living vicariously through them if even for a couple hours? 

Do we finding a measure of common ground in their desire to discover their soul-mate? 

Or is it the idea that "everyone lives happily ever after"?

Isn't there something in each of us that secretly (or not so secretly) 

hopes that we'll be swept off our feet?

Be honest. 

Don't we want a little bit of fireworks accompanied by a rapid heart beat 

every time we see that someone special?

I want to propose something to you that could sound ridiculous. 

I think our love for love stories is intrinsically woven into our DNA. 

We were designed for love.

For love relationships that are unconditional and true. 

No strings attached.

No games. 

Agape.

Think about it: Isn't life better when you're in like and love?

To have someone to share your hopes and dreams, fears and failures with?

The greatest love story ever begins with a loving God and a broken people. 

But here's where the story gets good. 

When we couldn't get to God he came to us.

And not because we loved Him, but because He loved us.

The message of the cross is that your goodness doesn't get you in, 

but your badness doesn't keep you out. 

It's the grace of God extended to you through Jesus Christ.

The Bible puts it this way...

But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us. For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him would not perish but have ever lasting life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him. Romans 5:8, John 3:16-17

Experiencing the greatest love story 

begins with us acknowledging our need for a Savior 

and accepting His love. 

 (*In my defense we watched The Sound of Music every year as a family while i was kid and it is set during World War II in one of the most beautiful places on the planet.)

Through The Storm

Storms are part of life. 

They don't call ahead to let you know they they'll be there
in two weeks to wreak havoc.
They don't text to warn you of impending difficulties.
They don't knock.
They kick the door in at the most inopportune times.

Even paradise is not immune from storms.
Isn't it true that sometimes we think...
If only i lived there. Had this. Knew them.
If only I was someone different than who I am now,
things would be good, and life would be storm free.

But that's just not true.
We can't outrun the storms.
In fact, people who try to avoid or ignore every storm never get to develop
the character that navigating storms produces.

Maybe we should think of it this way... 
Consider it a sheer gift, friends, when tests and challenges come at you from all sides. You know that under pressure, your faith-life is forced into the open and shows its true colors. So don't try to get our of anything prematurely. Let it do its work so you become mature and well-developed, not deficient in any way. James 1:2-4 Msg.


What if:
1. We viewed storms from a different angle?
2. We viewed obstacles as opportunities?
3. We saw storms as part of our development.

We would then see the potential in the process.
We may see the beauty of being blown and beaten
by our circumstances recognizing their
ability to either destroy or develop us.

A Simple Prayer: 
Lord, help me to fight my natural tendency to look around
for someone to blame when the storms come.
Help me to understand the potential in the process, however painful.
Enable me to sense your presence not matter how strong the storm.
I look to you now.