“Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love.”
1John 4:8 (NIV)

“For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life.”
John 3:16 (NIV)

Dear Source of Love, 

We tend to deceive ourselves. We see the ruin of the world around us and think we are somehow more compassionate and loving than You. We say to ourselves– “I would do something about the hurting and destruction all around me if I had God’s power”. 

But You did do something! You sent Your Son to die for the perpetrators of the suffering — all we sinners. We chose death. Yet You, the One who sees all the death, destruction and utter cruelty upon the earth You created every single day, acted toward us in love. 

Your love isn’t soft and self-serving. Its not a band aid when open heart surgery is required! Its not a platitude. Love is You,  the One who got down in the muck and mire, the tears and  toil— because that’s where we are. The ruin was ours. We weren’t a little bit lost but utterly hopeless. Yours is the Love that altered the trajectory of our future. Your love gave us an eternal Name and adopted us  as children, even with all our baggage. That is love! Love that entirely redeems! 

You are the Full Measure of what it means to Love. Until we have pondered Your cross, we will continue to wonder where You are in our ruins. Jesus, may we who know You now, tell those suffering where is the Love. 

In Jesus Name Forever