At times I feel like a broken record. I keep sensing the same things over and over and over again. This is probably because it takes me a long time to embrace a truth and live there. I just don't get it with one shot. So at the risk of repeating myself, here are a few thoughts about love and the freedom we can have because of it.
Let's take a moment to go to John 13:3-5. It reads, "Jesus knew that the Father had put all things under his power, and that he had come from God and was returning to God; so he got up from the meal, took off his outer clothing, and wrapped a towel around his waist. After that, he poured water into a basin and began to wash his disciples feet, drying them with the towel that was wrapped around him." (my italics)
Reading this scripture gives me a sense that Jesus knew exactly who he was, his purpose, the love of His Father and what He was to do at that moment. In this deep security, He took off the role of teacher and Lord and put on the role of servant. Instead of asking someone else to wash the disciples feet, He did it himself. This is striking to me. God... in flesh... creator... serving the created. He lived from the center of the security of the Father's love for Him. Jesus was so secure in that love, He did not need to prove His position. He lived out the ultimate love for us.
Jesus' freedom to serve was a result of deep abiding love. Everything the Father gave to Jesus, Jesus in turn gave away to others. Taking on the limitations of the flesh meant Jesus could only give what the Father gave to Him. It was all Jesus had and he gave it to us.
Today Jesus continues giving. He gives us love, security, our resources, our stories, our journeys, our friends, our kids, our spouses, our extended family. Look around you. Everything you see, all you take in, the people in your life.... everything is given by God. The gift you can give back to God is your journey.
I love these words by Fr. Pedro Arrupe, S.J. He says, "Nothing is more practical than finding God, than falling in love in a quite absolute, final way. What you are in love with, what seizes your imagination, will affect everything. It will decide what will get you out of bed in the morning, what you will do with your evening, how you spend your weekends, what you read, whom you know, what breaks your heart, and what amazes you with joy and gratitude. Fall in love, stay in love, and it will decide everything."
Jesus was totally in love with the Father. This love decided everything for Him. He trusted the Father completely. He committed His life into the Father's hands.
God's love for us is no different. This love is completely good, endures forever and always seeks our good. This is the kind of love we can trust. We can rest assured, relax and remain in this love. We don't have to know all the details of the future. We don't have to know all there is to know. We obviously would like to know everything, but we can leave the full knowing to God. This is real trust and real faith; leaving the knowing to God.
When we leave the knowing to God, we put today and the future in His very capable hands. The moments we do consider the future, we dream instead of worry and hope replaces fear. Freedom begins to take root and real fruit is born.
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