I was reading an article on Elvis Presley in the weekend supplement 'Thursday'. In essence the article stated that Elvis had all the money in the world that he desired, but sadly, not enough to buy love. He showered love in the guise of money, mansion, gifts, servants, luxuries untold but eventually none of it impressed his wife, Priscilla. She left it all behind to marry a Karate instructor who was struggling to make 200 Dollars a week. While Elvis sought name and fame, Priscilla left 'Graceland' mansion for something seemingly insignificant ? A pauper more desirable than the King of Rock'n'Roll? Fame or Family - What means more to a King? 'Rich and Famous seeking love' is daily 'Situation wanted' in Hollywood dailies!
I am reminded of Daniel Olsson's poem - What money can't buy. Please follow link and read if you havent already. How tragically true that there's a lot that money can't buy! And yet, we are in some way or the other in the chase of name and fame. We chase God too, for the 'prosperity' of health and wealth that he can bestow. Is it Person or Possesion that motivates your love?
I often wonder at God's deliberate choice of family for the birth of his son, for it speaks much of his love. The King of Kings loved the lowliest of us at the manger in Bethlehem. If Jesus to have been born in royalty, the vast majority of us would have been denied access-'No Entry', 'Access for VIP's only! After all what does the Brahmin(high caste in India) have in common with the SC/ST(low caste) , or the Syrian Marthomite/Central Kerala CSI (traditional Christians - I take ownership here) in common with the Dalit Converts(new converts especially the lower caste)? We hide under the banner of 'common worship' but our true 'love' spills over in our attitudes and deeds. When we are biased, in reality the 'background' dictates our love or its lack. In truly loving people we step beyond material boundaries. God knew that the 'Rich' in wisdom would humbly find their way to the manger. And sure enough the wise men reached the humble home. And home it was, for where love is home is! The dusty dirty stable floor was holy ground on which the three Kings of Orient knelt and worshipped the new born King. The bejewelled Kingly robes lost no poise or dignity sharing the floor with raggedy gruff shepherds!
God is Love. In Christ, Love came seeking us.Death sought to destroy love right from birth and yet, Love laid aside riches, honor and glory at the Cross.
O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory?
Love conquered Death. This 'Love' reaches out to the 'Person' in you and me. This 'Love' looks beyond all pretentions and truly it is This ‘Love’ which gives us joy and hope. No more condemnation in love ! Love embraces with joy the Prodigal, fresh as he is from the 'pig sty'!
Ah for the love of God! In love he gave himself – John3v16.
P.S. Love - Noun and love- verb.
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