Love for the Father

Hi guys! I just wanted to post this written by my husband. Really stops and makes you think.

I saw a video today that flat messed me up man...had me working really hard to not let the people around me know that I was flat out sobbing!

A few years ago, I don't think that a video like that would have really affected me, probably because I'm getting old and soft...and because I have kids now. The video is of soldiers coming home to their kids and loved ones and surprising them. Some of the reactions are absolutely priceless...raw...just real...

It makes me think about my kids and how (most of the time) they are happy to see me when I get home from work and I'm only gone for hours. I can't imagine what the people who have been away from home for long extended periods of time must feel!

Why do I or those people in the video feel that way? Cause we love our kids or family members and they love us. I know this because I had my wife ask my boys if they love me. My youngest son said "he loves me because he wants to fight me". nice (you'd have to know jj) and the oldest said he loves me because I'm the best builder (recently built them a new loft bed). Not exactly the perfect illustration I was looking for, but at least they didn't say no right?

As a Christian, love should take on many different meanings for us...it should be central to everything we do and who we are. Jesus said love God with all that you are...and love your neighbor...

Paul said that the love of Christ "compeled" them...some translations say "controls" them...later in the text it talks about being a new creation...the idea that everything they did as a Christian was because the love that Jesus showed them...not because it was "the Christian thing to do" or because they were afraid of judgement (there is no fear in love 1 john 4:18). I had to ask myself is this how I live my life? Does the love of Christ compel me?

2 Cor 5:14 ‘For Christ’s love compels us, because we are convinced that one died for all, and therefore all died. And he died for all, that those who live should no longer live for themselves but for him who died for them and was raised again.’ ¹⁵and he died for all,^V)">(V) that those who live might no longer live for themselves but^W)">(W) for him who for their sake died and was raised.

Do I live as an actual child of God? Is that a mindset, something I know, or just some type of metaphor to me?

Do I live my life everyday realizing the love that God has for me that He showed me through Jesus?

Do I live my life for myself?

Do (live like) I know that there is no greater love?

Do (live like) I know that Jesus loves me as much as He loves The Father?

Do (live like) I know that The Father loves me as much as He loves His Son?

Do I live like He's coming back?

Ephesians 5:1-2 [1] Be imitators of God, therefore, as dearly loved children [2] and live a life of love, just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.

Galatians 2:20 I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.

John 3:16 For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.

John 15:13 Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends.

John 15:9-10 ‘As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you.’

John 17:23 ‘I in them and you in me. May they be brought to complete unity to let the world know that you sent me and have loved them even as you have loved me.’

John 14:2,3 In my Father's house are many rooms; if it were not so, I would have told you. I am going there to prepare a place for you.

And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am.

John 14:18 I will not leave you as orphans; I will come to you.

I read this question in a book and it sticks with me:

“The critical question for our generation—and for every generation—is this: If you could have heaven, with no sickness, and with all the friends you ever had on earth, and all the food you ever liked, and all the leisure activities you ever enjoyed, and all the natural beauties you ever saw, all the physical pleasures you ever tasted, and no human conflict or any natural disasters, could you be satisfied with heaven, if Christ was not there?”

yikes...

so to get back to that video that I mentioned in the beginning...would I have that same type of real, crazy emotion in my heart if I saw Jesus...if I got to heaven and saw Him...and could just run up to Him with a huge bear hug, or have my emotions just start pouring out...would that be my first reaction?

Here's the video... http://www.godtube.com/featured/video/part-2-soldiers-surprising-their-loved-ones

Peace.

(much love to all the service members out there...)