Love Potion #9

Sometimes I hate being human.....and I am SOOOOOOOOOO human! I have been in a very deep funk lately. Yeah, I know all the reasons I'm not supposed to be, but I have been nevertheless. Lessons I have to learn, lessons others have to learn, a number of things can get me in this condition. Then, I get angry with myself, because I know the ending! I know the answers! And yet I allow myself to be thrown into a pit. Go figure. I say that so you will know that I really haven't been up to par lately. You need to know that. I think we all need to know that EVERYONE has times when they are not on top of their game. When they feel like the only one that feels this way. When they feel lost, and alone, and miserable. Even those of us who know the end of the story feel this way once in a while. And it's okay. We have a Father's lap to sit on and tell Him all about it. And believe me, I've been doing that alot! Sometimes I just want to run and hide, leaving everything behind that He's called me to do. But I can't. And I won't. I just want to sometimes. It very recently dawned on me that there is one big reason why I have felt this way during this time. I have been thinking about, and studing about peace. And I think God wanted me to experience this break in peace during this particular time for the very important reason of being able to share it with you. Peace is not a place at which we arrive. A destination we stay in from now on. We can't take 5 easy steps to arrive and remain in Peace for the rest of our lives. The life of a Christ follower is much different than a constant euphoria. It ebbs and flows like the tide. And, as we get more mature, the distance between the two extremes gets smaller. But there are always changes. Life, emotions, circumstances, even the chemistry of our humanity guarantee that we will not always be the same. When we study and strive as Christians to live better for Him, we gain understanding of what he has planned for us. He's always got our best at heart. He wants us to live in victory,and He shows us how to do that. But, because we are NOT Christ, we will NOT attain a state of perfection this side of heaven. So, no matter who you are talking about, whether it be a blogger like me, your pastor, a Christian singer or a famous evangelist, no one will always be exactly where they want to be or should be with God. It's that way with the love component of peace. Love is probably the most important factor in attaining peace. Last time I talked about our love for the Father being similar to our feelings and behavior when we first get into a romantic relationship. The urgency of those feeling is certainly something we should strive for in our relationship with Christ. The difference is very important though. Unlike romantic love, our Savior will never change his mind. He won't fall out of love with us. He won't build walls around himself when we make mistakes. He's crazy about us and that will never, ever change. Ever. I am not Christ however, and I am ashamed to say I have a great deal of difficulty getting this love thing right. But when I have difficulty with something, especially something that I know God has planned for me, I know where to go for help. According to the Blue Letter Bible, there are 551 mentions of love in the Bible (NIV), and these scriptures address all different kinds and levels of love. I couldn't possibly list all of the scriptures that pertain to this subject, but there are a couple of scriptures that 'stick out' to me regarding this subject. One group of scriptures is in 1 John. 1 John 4 has a few verses that kind of sum up how we are meant to love. Beginning with verse 16 thru 21: And so we know and rely on the love God has for us. God is love. Whoever lives in love lives in God, and God in him. In this way, love is made complete among us so that we will have confidence on the day of judgment, because in this world we are like him. There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love. We love because he first loved us. If anyone says, "I love God," yet hates his brother, he is a liar. For anyone who does not love his brother, whom he has seen, cannot love God, whom he has not seen.And he has given us this command: Whoever loves God must also love his brother. There's a lot to digest there. I am convinced, however, that love is the key to abiding in Christ.......and abiding in Christ is the key to peace. Going to do some more investigating on that issue. Peace. Longed for, sought after, dreamed of. It's a part of heaven on earth. And God provides the way.....we just have to know, understand, and practice the steps He gave us. It's do-able, and it's available for all of us. It's a love potion. Let's learn to drink up! More later.....:)

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