This is a guest post by Brandon Edwards. I’ll have the contact info at the end, but I highly recommend you follow him in social media. Brandon is a Christian who is both brilliant and kind, a combination not always found together. Enjoy this post, which begins with a quote from the amazing C. S. Lewis. - JED
"To love at all is to be vulnerable. 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
Love - a word so misused, misconstrued, stolen, abused, and deconstructed that we often miss out on its true intrinsic beauty. You see, love cannot simply be an emotion for that would make it petty. Love cannot simply be a decision for that would make it easy. Love cannot simply be a philosophy for that would mean some wouldn't need it. Love cannot simply be an impulse because then someone wouldn't feel it.
To love someone isn't just an emotion, a choice, a philosophy of life, or an impulse. It is within the God-given combination of these ideals, of these deep roots, that we find its totality. Love was never meant to stand on its own - it was always meant to stand rooted in its intrinsic nature - created by God that we may walk with Him, feel Him, desire Him, and search for Him.
In the same way, His love overflows and allows us the same richness in our search for relationships in this world.
So, I shall go forth into this world looking for depth in my relationships - for true roots in my friendships. To love all mankind, to desire its redemption, to dream of its return from rebellion towards a loving God, and to aspire to personal depth in every conversation.
Today, I shall ask the question, "How are you old friend?" and I shall truly desire an answer.
Brandon Edwards is the College Minister for the Church of Christ on Fishinger Road in Columbus, Ohio. He earned his Masters from Harvard University in 2021. You can read all about his interesting life HERE on his Facebook page. Connect with him on FACEBOOK and INSTAGRAM. I’ve been enjoying his study of Mere Christianity, which you can join in each Thursday evening live at 6 pm via the Facebook group The Rabbit Hole Study or you can catch up on the videos via his YouTube channel HERE. I am grateful to Brandon for allowing me to share this, one of his many excellent reflections.
Good stuff! I really appreciate the things Brandon has to say.
This is a wonderful message!