Have a great meal tonight!
“So Jacob served seven years to get Rachel, but they seemed like only a few days to him because of his love for her.” Genesis 29:20
It is true just as Hollywood has portrayed that love is about passion and desire. For without it love will be found grossly lacking. Passion and desire are powerful driving forces. Nobody needs restraining from food, movies and athletic games, because they are part of our passion and desires. A young man will go to any length to be with the one he loves and viceversa.
But passion is often a misunderstood word. It does not just mean intense desire. Passion means the willingness to suffer because of an intense desire, hence the phrase "the passion of the Christ." Jesus's intense desire for us allowed Himself to suffer and die for us. This is the meaning of true love.
And unlike a Hollywood movie that lasts but 90 minutes and many of its marriages that fizzle out and don't make the distance, Jacob's love was tested by time, seven years. Seven long years of waiting that seemed to be just an few days all because of love. This is how you know you have fallen in love - time flies. Kinda' like this last five days of our fast. Can't believe this is the last day.
This brings me to my last point. Actually, Jacob went longer that seven years. He was deceived by his uncle Laban and was instead given Leah on the night of his wedding, how that happened I still haven't figured out. This required another seven years of serving to finally get the love of his life, Rachel.
Although he did receive Rachel on the seventh year, he had to serve again another seven years for her. I'm not sure if he was as motivated and if that was just a few days like the first seven, but the point is that love is not just about passion and time but has a component of service. Love is about laying one's life down in service of another because of a desire to be engaged with someone. Again that's what Jesus did for us.
As you end your fast today I pray that you have fallen in love once again. And that your love will go the distance this 2013. That somehow your love for our God will translate into serving him and his people. Keep in mind we love because He first loved us. Have a great meal tonight. Ciao'.
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