Scripture: 1st John 4:19
We love because he first loved us.
Thought for the Day: For those of you at Cypress Creek Christian Church, you know this passage well. It is the basis of our Vision and Mission. I immediately thought of this passage as I was rereading Anne Lamott’s book, “Stitches,” earlier today in preparation for my sermon this Sunday. Lamott writes, “…love bats last.” So much of my life is viewed from someone living in the fifth inning (building on the baseball metaphor) who is down a few runs. No matter how bad things might appear, I believe that love is always the last batter. And though we might be down by ten runs, and only one person on base, I still believe that love can win the day. Some might say its impossible to win or that’s cheating, and they might be right. Or let me say it another way, love doesn’t play by the traditional rules of this world. Love doesn’t go with the biggest or best, and it sure doesn’t go with the one that on which everyone else has placed a wager. Love bends the rules when it comes to worldly definitions of value, worthiness and acceptability. Love tosses out old attitudes and perspective that are rarely questioned. Love always bats last, and I pray that I will claim that truth when I am on my deathbed and fear and sadness are casting darker and darker shadows over me. It may look as if the game is over, but I hope that I will be able to claim that love will bat last…and that love will pull out the victory.
Prayer: Your love, O Lord, arrived first into my life and will be the gift by which I will exit this life. I pray that every moment in between will be lived in and through that love. Amen.
