Devotional Thoughts: What God wants

John 13:35

"By this all men will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another."

Saw this news item.

Briefly, you may recall the terrible shooting rampage at New Life Church in Colorado Springs last year.

On January 3, the parents of the shooter, Ron and Loretta Murray went to the church and met with the pastor of the church Brady Boyd who answered their questions as to what happened that fateful day of the shooting.

Part of the meeting included the parents talking with church member and volunteer security guard Jeanne Assam who wounded their son who then shot himself fatally.

A spokeswoman said, "They told Assam that they were so deeply sorry she had to do what she did. There were tears, lots of embraces, prayers."

In a moment that was deeply powerful for all involved, the Murrays met with David and Marie Works, whose daughters, Stephanie, 18, and Rachael, 16, were killed by Matthew Murray.

Pastor Boyd said, "The four of them met and hugged and cried."

The Murrays said in a written statement, "The depth of our sorrow and our grief is greater than we could possibly describe. But with thanks to God, these remarkable families and their pastors and churches, healing and reconciliation have begun."

***

Deeply moving. This is the stuff I think Jesus was talking about.

Would we love to hear the booming voice of God in the sky?

Would we welcome the sight of a burning bush and a message from God?

Yes. But ...

It is a story like this and other deeds of love and forgiveness that tell us God is at work.

And ...

I sometimes wonder if as human creatures we are so fallen that a booming voice from God would be too traumatic for us?

Even a restrained divine visitation by a holy God might leave us cowering in fear.

Instead, God has to use an entry into humanity through Jesus, nudges, living amongst us, passing on his teachings through an unruly people of God, dying a brutal death on a cross, whispers, resurrection witnessed by a finite number of people, entrusting his message to a bunch of bumbling disciples, nudges and hints and indeed love displayed by His followers.

God has to use ... me? (!!)

Lord, thank you that you have not given up on us. You have taken steps to bring us to yourself. Give me the boldness to love today and everyday. Amen.