The Lord appeared to us in the past, saying:“ I have loved you with an everlasting love; I have drawn you with unfailing kindness. —Jeremiah 31:3, NIV
The darkness within our hearts has an intricate expertise on destroying any faculty of love that pours from within us. Because the value of love is everlasting and unchangeable, it can never destroy it outright; rather, it focuses on consuming our focus to something darker. What happened with those ugly words men told us, what happened when unscrupulous men and women abused us, and our own actions torment us: our dwelling becomes flooded with the fear of love, granting sin free reign to avoid our own responsibilities to love. Yes: love is scary. Love is limitless. Love is responsible, and it cannot rejoice in the irresponsibility of sin. Then our faulty consciences attack us and demons rejoice. Love has been successfully dimmed away —and they shall keep it that way! Who will rescue our souls from the depths of our self-imposed corruption?
Love is challenging. Love is entertaining. Love is precise. Even when the comfort of humans are placed on the perishable flesh, it will keep shining its light and knocking the doors of human hearts, speaking in a tender voice, waiting for a response —any response. It will find a thousand ways to call us to attention: by song, by dance, by games or hugs and kisses. Love will call forth from the rooftops. Love will lavish the heart with extraordinary gifts. But, as the heart grows cold and love's tactics grow eerily thin, there is only one way to call the heart to attention.
Love has to die to itself.
But love never dies and it never deceives! Why attempt such a crazy proposition that only leads to heartbreak and terror? Because the heart, as stubborn and proud and mighty it attempts to be, has grown weary and fragile. For love has grown desperate to shower its affections on the heart, yet is more than willing to be bruised and broken only to confront the blackened heart of its own darkness. Love is charming. Love is wise. And love is willing to be placed in the seat of execution, only to show how willing and determined Love is to Love.
Even in the pain, Love smiles tenderly. It continues to praise and pray and shower its mercies. Whipped and beaten, but never destroyed. Bloody and swollen, yet bold and unafraid. And, even in the tears and anguish of the darkness, love is willing to enjoy its broken communion with the heart, if only for one last time.