The fourth week of advent brings us to the reason for it all. The purpose He came to us. The final purple candle is LOVE.
A challenge I gave myself this past year was to read the Bible through from beginning to end. Not only read, but understand and take notes. I didn’t want to read and not remember a thing. I have been wanting to read the Bible through for as long as I can remember, but I couldn’t grasp its meaning. The Bible isn’t laid out in an easy to understand format and it isn’t chronological. I found a reading plan that makes sense and lines up beautifully. I am within days of finishing and still processing all I have learned.
What I do know is that what I have been told about the Bible my entire life is true. It’s a love story. A story of a Father who so desperately loves his children that he keeps disciplining and shaping us while trying to draw us close. He loves us without demanding anything in return. Does He want our love and humble hearts? Absolutely. He wants us to live our lives on earth in His daily presence so we can go on and live eternity with Him. But he will not force it. He wants the purest love and devotion in return, given freely. God filters our lives through his love. It may be painful. It may not always seem loving, but the love filter is what is best for each one of us.
Sending his son to die doesn’t seem loving, but through His love filter He knew that the sacrifice of his Son could bring his children and all those who believe back to him. No sacrifice would mean eternal separation. Our loving God did not want that.
This week we see an act of love displayed like no other in the history of the world. Our Father, Creator, wanted so much to be a part of our lives that He sent Himself to earth to be with us. God with us. Emmanuel.
Lean into that this week. Ask God to help you. Ask Him to open your eyes to the love He displayed over 2000 years ago and still displays every day of the year. He sees you. He is with you. He loves you.
Leah Lively 