At Grandfather Mountain, North Carolina
At first it is so tiny and fragile, but once the ivy plant is planted in firm
ground, it grows in leaps and bounds. It will do everything in its power to take
over whatever it is planted beside, be it trees, power lines, or even buildings.
In fact, in just a few years, that tiny ivy plant can completely overtake an
entire house, covering it from bottom to top.
How do I know? Because this happened to us! It started out as a tiny plant,
eight years, ago, and by this summer it had not only taken over all the walls of
our home, but the roof as well!
I can just imagine what our neighbours must have said about our ivy-infested
home: "But, where do you sleep?"
"Way up on the second floor, far away from commotion and noise."
"But... How do you get up there?"
"It's simple! We climb the ivy! Would you like to try?"
Although it was beautiful, we had to cut the ivy back. Now we can see our home
once again and the neighbours realize that we do, indeed, live in a house.
We visited a place this summer, in the Appalachians of North Carolina, where
there is no end to the ivy. It not only covers the houses, but the trees, the
hills, the cliffs, the swing sets, even the lawns. It even climbs up the
telephone poles and hangs from electrical wires. It is so beautiful to behold!
Why is it that ivy can overtake everything around it? Because it is tenacious
and it never gives up! It is beautiful no matter what size it is. One can't help
but wonder at its perseverance. It thrives! It THRives! IT THRIVES!
Love is very much like ivy, or at least it is if we let it grow the way God
intended it to! At first it is frail and fragile, and one wonders if it will
ever be reciprocated. Once it takes root however, it grows rapidly and
vigorously, until it fills all the aspects of our lives. And when that love is
rooted in the Love Giver, no one can stop it! It lasts to eternity! It thrives!
It THRives! IT THRIVES!
"God's love is meteoric, his loyalty astronomic, His purpose titanic, his
verdicts oceanic. Yet in his largeness nothing gets lost; Not a man, not a
mouse, slips through the cracks. How exquisite your love, O God! How eager we
are to run under your wings, to eat our fill at the banquet you spread as you
fill our tankards with Eden spring water. You're a fountain of cascading light,
and you open our eyes to light. Keep on loving your friends; do your work in
welcoming hearts." (Ps 36:5-10 The Message)
Because sin has invaded our world, and with it selfishness and the desire to
have more and more, love is often perceived as a possession rather than a gift
from God. As a result, dissatisfaction and lust rule the heart. No wonder
divorce rampages and so many innocent, illegitimate children are born and
abandoned! Even less surprising is that hardly anyone finds true love anymore!
"As long as you did what you felt like doing, ignoring God, you didn't have to
bother with right thinking or right living, or right anything for that matter.
But do you call that a free life? What did you get out of it? Nothing you're
proud of now. Where did it get you? A dead end." (Rom 6:20-21 The Message)
By the way, do you know what God thinks about divorce?
"'I hate divorce,' says the God of Israel. God-of-the-Angel-Armies says, 'I hate
the violent dismembering of the "one flesh" of marriage. So watch yourselves.
Don't let your guard down. Don't cheat.'" (Mal 2:16 The Message)
Do we want to enjoy real living? Let's stop ignoring God's directives for real
love. Only by letting Him completely into our hearts will we discover the true
Source of love and happiness. Stop looking for love in all the wrong places. Go
to the Source and start living as sons and daughters of the King of kings.
"And regardless of what else you put on, wear love. It's your basic, all-purpose
garment. Never be without it. Let the peace of Christ keep you in tune with each
other, in step with each other. None of this going off and doing your own thing.
And cultivate thankfulness." (Col 3:14-15 The Message)
"Excuse me. Is this the property for sale? I thought it included a home. Am I
wrong?"
"You see all that ivy? That will be your home! It's cushy and comfortable and
will keep you warm during the winter."
"Euh… That's not exactly what I'm looking for."
What are you honestly looking for in life?
Rob Chaffart
The Illustrator: This daily newsletter is dedicated to encouraging
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