To Take On

The Word [Jesus] became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the One and Only, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth. John 1:14

God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God." 2 Cor 5:21

If you have any encouragement from being united with Christ, if any comfort from his love, if any fellowship with the Spirit, if any tenderness and compassion, then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and purpose. Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves. Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others. Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus: Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, but made himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself and became obedient to death-- even death on a cross! Phil 2:1-8


That the God of the Universe would take on all the limitations of human skin to rescue me from the other side of an otherwise impassable chasm that relationally separates me from Him because of my dark heart is something too large to imagine, too elusive to grasp, too lavish for my heart to receive. That I am the prize, the goal, and the purpose driving the hero of the epic story, is more than I can enter into. I am the object of God's great affection

I have truly enjoyed reading some of John Eldridge’s works over the last few years as he is such a great story teller. I have been most touched by his attempts to paint the picture of how I do fit into an epic story that has taken place over all space and time with powerful forces of Good and Evil waging war for possession of my heart. Times of connecting with this TRUTH have been largely contained to fleeting glimpses that yield moments of a melted heart that is filled with love, gratitude, and wonder. Nothing has tasted sweeter. That the entire Bible is a living document proclaiming God's passionate and relentless love is so often lost in the perceived "rules" of religion. And despite the clear communication time and time again that the greatest of all is love, we so often want to make it about something, anything else. And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love. (I Cor 13:13)

And can it be that I should gain
an interest in the Savior's blood!
Died he for me? who caused his pain!
For me? who him to death pursued?
Amazing love! How can it be
that thou, my God, shouldst die for me?
Amazing love! How can it be
that thou, my God, shouldst die for me?

'Tis mystery all: th' Immortal dies!
Who can explore his strange design?
In vain the firstborn seraph tries
to sound the depths of love divine.
'Tis mercy all! Let earth adore;
let angel minds inquire no more.
'Tis mercy all! Let earth adore;
let angel minds inquire no more.

He left his Father's throne above
(so free, so infinite his grace!),
emptied himself of all but love,
and bled for Adam's helpless race.
'Tis mercy all, immense and free,
for O my God, it found out me!
'Tis mercy all, immense and free,
for O my God, it found out me!

Long my imprisoned spirit lay,
fast bound in sin and nature's night;
thine eye diffused a quickening ray;
I woke, the dungeon flamed with light;
my chains fell off, my heart was free,
I rose, went forth, and followed thee.
My chains fell off, my heart was free,
I rose, went forth, and followed thee.

No condemnation now I dread;
Jesus, and all in him, is mine;
alive in him, my living Head,
and clothed in righteousness divine,
bold I approach th' eternal throne,
and claim the crown, through Christ my own.
Bold I approach th' eternal throne,
and claim the crown, through Christ my own.

-Charles Wesley