Mysterious Love

This has been the theme today. Really. From at least three sources. Maybe I should pay attention.

I have been a very angry person. And I could convince you that at least 85% of it is warranted. Most of my anger was a result of experiences with Christians. Even though I was one, I didn't like the majority of them very much.

Something kept telling me that my life can't be that bad. Then something told me it was very bad. I should get more mad.

But getting mad is death and destruction. Love is life.

We sang this song tonight.

In Christ Alone (listen here)

In Christ alone my hope is found,
He is my light, my strength, my song.
This cornerstone, this solid ground,
Firm through the fiercest drought and storm.

What heights of love, what depths of peace,
When fears are stilled, when striving ceased.
My Comforter, my All in All,
Here in the love of Christ I stand.

There in the ground His body lay,
Light of the World by darkness slain.
Then bursting forth in glorious day,
Up from the grave He rose again.

And as He stands in victory,
Sins curse has lost it's grip on me.
For I am His and He is mine,
Bought with the precious blood of Christ.

No guilt in life, no fear in death.
This is the power of Christ in me.
From life's first cry to final breath,
Jesus commands my destiny.

No power of hell, no scheme of man,
Could ever pluck me from His hand.
Till He returns or calls me home,
Here in the power of Christ I'll stand.

Such a beautiful promise. God will be there.
I have been mad because of the failure from others to show me and those I love Christ's love.
I used to think that these lyrics were promises of strength to overcome those that were hurting me.

Now, I don't think so. Now I think that the power this song is stating is the power not to get angry, prideful, fearful, or self-centered. The power to love.

Anger, pride, fear, and self-centeredness is death. Love is life.

God wants me to love in order to have a full life. And He died so that anger, pride, fear, and self-centeredness could not overtake me. This is what I am free of, not mean people.

This does not necessarily give me the power to prove myself, even for Christ's sake.
This does not give me the power to be right.
This does not give me the power to fight.
This does not give me the power to expose every evil and make it right.

This incomprehensible sacrifice gives me the power to love. This love is mysterious to me. There is no pride in it. There is no counting offenses. Not even the use of love in order to prove a point.

Because any other avenue to deal with Christians that dissapoint is not showing Christ's love either. And I am no different.

It's just love. And it is very powerful.

He has given me everything, so there is no reason to give in to death.

My mind is blown.