Updated on 12/18/15

Kingdom Principle: Loves does not make you strong, rather it breaks you.

In the wake of tragedy, crisis or lose – most seek for a way to be strong.  To be strong for others, to be strong in their faith, to be strong that evil would not prevail… but he way of love is brokenness. (It is actually Joy which makes you strong…)

“Love anything and your heart will be wrung and possibly broken. If you want to make sure of keeping it intact you must give it to no one, not even an animal. Wrap it carefully round with hobbies and little luxuries; avoid all entanglements. Lock it up safe in the casket or coffin of your selfishness. But in that casket, safe, dark, motionless, airless, it will change. It will not be broken; it will become unbreakable, impenetrable, irredeemable. To love is to be vulnerable.”  C.S. Lewis

Mary, the mother of our LORD, sings her magnificent out of brokenness. Micah proclaims hope to the broken amidst inevitable defeat and destruction. To celebrate our Savior – is to be confronted with our need to be saved. Israel was broken and restoration was alone in the hands of Yahweh – the LORD God Almighty:   Are we today any different? Jesus came to embody the Good News which John proclaimed. This good news is a reversal of fortunes. Obedience and offerings are the way of the Law, and the Law does not lead to salvation of soul. Jesus has come to redeem and restore His people – Is it your will that His will be done? If so the way of Love is the only way. And the way of Love is the way of Brokenness.

The fact that you are reading this – means that you are educated –and most likely you are reading this on via computer which means you have a wealth that most of the world knows nothing of…. It is my guess that you cannot remember the last time you were forced to skip a meal due to there not being substance available to you and again, you have no true concept (as I do not either) of being forced to do anything truly against your will – unless you count childhood correction, or an encounter with a police officer both with are a result of our rebellion.  Further, for the most part when we suffer a consequence for our wrong doings – we are quick to justify and rationalize  the circumstance due to our intentions not looking at the true impact of our actions. If these thoughts echo your life and current experience – then beware of what Mary’s Magnificent means unto you:

Those who find comfort in their thoughts, will be scattered. Those who exert their will over others, will be brought down. Those who are full, will be sent away empty. And those who hope alone for God’s Power have not learned to be thankful for His Mercy; Almighty God forgive us that we might come near to your love.

How might we right this wrong? We must be confronted with our own wrong and strong headedness – and be willing even wanting to be broken. Cry out for Forgiveness – that the Lord might cover you in Holiness and that your unrighteousness will be redeemed with his Blood.  What is love? – but that you might lay their life down for another. (John 15:9-14) Mary laid her life down, that Christ may be born. John laid down his life to prepare the way of the LORD. Jesus laid down his life that all who come unto him might be saved.  Do you long for love to rule your life? Then you must no longer be the ruler of your life- your security will come from Christ the King alone. Not Christ and your savings account, not Christ and your home, not Christ and your family, not Christ and your church, but how much more is Christ calling you to give of your money, your home, your family and your church. We are not to look to these sources of security as love, rather we are called to give up these sources of security because we are loved.

This 4^th Sunday of Advent – we look to the love of the angels in the anticipation of Christ the King. The angels are messengers of Christ’s love, or they are not – there is no in-between. (Angels who are not messengers of Love, are messengers of Lies  – the demons of the Deceiver.) Much of the world is gray to our eyes – but to the heavenly it is black and white. The angels embody love or they do not! (In response to the shooting in Conn.  – we don’t see gray there, how might the Lord be teaching us to see black and white..?) True love evokes fear in those to whom the message of Good News is brought, but at the same time it drives out fear with the Hope of Salvation. (1 John 4:11-21) You cannot Love, without Hope. (for to embrace suffering and brokenness – one must see the signs.) And Peace & Joy are a means by which the message of Hope to be anchored in this world.

Love then is the culmination of such things – but you already knew that….. Therefore you are willing to give your life as a witness to this love, knowing that it is only through death that true life (culmination of advent) can be found.