Stripped down to the bare essentials...

When I allow the words and actions of others to shape the perception I have of the Christ who has been revealed to me through His Word and by His Spirit, He becomes ugly.

Scary.

The Way that is impossible to reach.

The ruler with the iron fist that is raised and always hovering over me waiting to smite me.

I can't win with this Jesus.

This Jesus is holding up all of these hoops that I have to jump through to reach His Father (who is even more sinister than the Son).

Or the reverse is true.

He becomes mushy (in a weak, spineless sort of way).

Permissive (seeming as if He doesn't really guide and direct His sheep).

His death seems pointless.

So...He died a horrific death...just for show?

But when I listen to His voice...

and read His Words...

He is anything but those things.

He is not some generic, man-made version of love...

He is the epitome of love.

His very nature...

love.

Not some wussy version of impostor love...

But fierce love.

Crazy love.

Powerful love.

Transforming love.

Sacrificial love.

Atoning love.

The kind of love that can (and did!) change the world...

and hearts of men.

I am just fumbling around like everyone else searching for His Words that never fail to illuminate the dark and drive out the spiritual creepy things.

Love wins, alright.

His love.

I want more of that...

because that Lord?

He has also used the clouds and the stars as if they were cursive letters writing His Story...

and what a breathtaking Story it is.