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When Love Shines. Jesus' Deepest
Desires, Part 3
November 9 and 10, 1913 did not bring any comforting memories to
Nellie Williams. In fact those two days would continue to haunt her
dreams, waking her up in a cold sweat with tears soaking her pillow.
Her life would never be the same...
Hurricane-force winds squealed across Lake Erie for the duration of
those two days, and the Light Vessel 82 (L.V. 82), captained by her
beloved husband, Hugh, was hit head on. Overwhelmed by the ferocity
of the high winds as well as the breaking waves, the crew realized
that their fight for survival was hopeless.
This wasn't the only vessel to fall prey to this brutal storm. Over
250 people aboard a dozen ships lost their lives.
Storm wreckage began to wash ashore at the foot of Michigan Avenue,
in Buffalo, NY. Among the debris was a piece of wood from Light
Vessel 82. This piece of wood displayed a penciled message from
Captain Williams to his wife. Realizing he had but moments to live,
his last thoughts went to the one he loved so dearly. He wrote
"Goodbye, Nellie, The ship is breaking up fast. Williams."
If love like this was our only motivation, how different this world
would be. Did you know that Jesus gave us only one direct command in
the whole New Testament?
Strangely enough, love is the one thing we struggle with the most!
Marriages don't last, and any couple fortunate enough to have been
married past the twenty-year mark become an icon in our society. The
question they hear most often? "How did you do it?"
Undeterred Jesus repeated that same command three times in His last
conversation with his disciples.
"A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so
you must love one another. By this all men will know that you are my
disciples, if you love one another." (John 13:34-35 NIV)
Loving one another should be our only priority, not only as a
benefit for ourselves, but also to others who have not heard the
great news about what God has done for humanity. So many leave
churches after just a couple of visits, because of the utter
indifference they find among its members. Where love does not
thrive, God's message is lost! In fact God's message can only thrive
where love reigns! All those who do not know real love tell but a
cheap imitation of the message!
"My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you. Greater
love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his
friends." (John 15:12-13 NIV)
The love that Jesus urges us to experience is a deep committed love,
one where we gladly "lay down" our lives for our friends. Now some
of us may be starting to think: Do I have any real friends?
It's never too late to start having real friends. It's as simple as
starting to love others the way Jesus did! Pure love is only
possible when we get to know our Heavenly Father. Once we start this
kind of relationship with God, we'll have no choice but to love the
way He does!
"I have made you known to them, and will continue to make you known
in order that the love you have for me may be in them and that I
myself may be in them." (John 17:26 NIV)
Washed ashore, I noticed a simple message addressed to us from the
Lover our souls: "Now remain in my love." (John 15:9 NIV)
How will we respond?
Rob Chaffart |
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