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.)