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? "This is my command: Love each other." (John 15:17 NIV)
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