Advent: Love

Love is a mystery to me. It is longer-lasting and more durable than desire, and yet desire can overthrow it. It can be fiercely loyal between friends, and full of quarreling between sisters. It is as gentle as a father as he holds his child. and yet again it is terrible to behold in all its glory if someone ever dares to threaten that child.

Love can be reckless and throw caution to the wind, and it can be a lifeline. Love looks at our deepest shames and our blackest secrets without a word of reproach, without flinching and without judging. When morality makes us ashamed and pushes us away because we don't measure up, love draws closer and makes our shame its own.

Love never gives us the matches to burn the world down, but when we do, love will still be standing amid the ashes. On that day, all it will say is, "I'm here, and I love you," and hold us as we cry.


Copyright © 2016 by David Learn. Used with permission.


Tweet