Here is a great post by our guest blogger – Br. John Ashley
“Weeds are flowers, too, once you get to know them.” -Winnie-the-Pooh
The Cambridge Dictionary defines Relationship as ‘the way in which two things are connected.’ Simple; right? Yet, there seems to be nothing more complicated than this aspect of life. It only takes a quick trip to your nearest library or bookstore to view the mammoth number of books written on this single topic.
You may have heard statements like: “In this era where relationships are formed on the basis of ‘what can I get out of it syndrome’, potential usefulness becomes the mandate for associations.” Well, with such generalized assertions, we can conveniently put the whole blame of social deterioration on new-age kids and dwell in the talks of ‘those good old days’. However, the truth is, no human generation is different! In the name of practicality, we have been using and exploiting each other until the milk runs out and cow starts to bleed.
However, in this scenario, we could give our ears to the echoes from 2000 years ago:
Jesus said to the one who had invited him, “When you give a lunch or a dinner, don’t invite your friends, your brothers or sisters, your relatives, or your rich neighbors, because they might invite you back, and you would be repaid. On the contrary, when you host a banquet, invite those who are poor, maimed, lame, or blind. And you will be blessed because they cannot repay you; for you will be repaid at the resurrection of the righteous.” –Luke 14:12-14, CSB.
What? Was Jesus out of His mind to make such an irrational statement? For modern minds, we are supposed to invest in relationships. By definition, investment has to have some return or at least the sum equivalent to the cost to be received from the beneficiary. So, to most of us, relationships are a matter of convenience and profit. Isn’t that why a loutish phrase – “No money, no honey dear!” -once used solely in the prostitution market, made its way to our casual talks?
Now, there is a difference between being a doormat and extending help in need. So, listening to the voice of God each time instead of leaping to appease the crowd is a must. As we see in scriptures, the sagacious love of Jesus made Him to rebuke His best pal; when Peter stood in the way of God’s purpose. The same sagacious love enabled Jesus to wash Peter’s feet right before he would deny Him three times. In fact, the motivation for all that God did/doing/going to do for you is His sagacious love, regardless of our insufficient gratitude. Hence Bible says: ‘For God loved the world in this way: He gave his one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life.’ –John 3:16, CSB.
To be sagacious is to have or show keen mental discernment, farsighted penetration and good judgment; wise or shrewd.
So, God is not going to give in to our self-pity, greed or complaints of Him being not fast enough. Parents know this feature to some extent as uncles/aunties and grandparents look sweeter to children over their own parents! Sagacious love makes the person not to meet the immediate want of others blindly, but to look ahead on the after-effects it will have on the recipient and act by taking into consideration of the full spectrum of the process and result. If anyone tells you that God’s love wouldn’t allow Him to do anything against your freewill, arrange an appointment for that person with Prophet Jonah. And if his schedule is packed, try Apostle Paul.
Bible is an absolute treasure-chest of sagacious love. So, make a trip through Genesis to Revelation at unrushed pace. You will be in awe of the Master of Love, Yeshua. He is not just a teacher, prophet and revolutionary the world adores. He is The God, Lord and Savior. He is the epitome of true love. Always remember, you are capable of love only because God loved you first. In His presence, enjoy the exemplary moments of sagacious love this world can neither offer nor comprehend.
You are capable of love only because God loved you first.
The sagacity of God’s Agape Love is gorgeously verbalized by Geraldine Yount: “The pressures crush, and you can see no way out; but suddenly God does something so wonderful, so grand, it literally takes your breath away, and you know that you know the God of the whole universe – the one who created you and continues to love you so much that you are graven on His palm – isn’t going to leave you there.”
With love in Christ, Shalom!
John Ashley
I really loved the comment… which You are capable of love only because God loved you first.. wooooow
Thanks Angel for your kind words.
Wow….I read this article twice…soaking in each word….beautifully written…thank you for the definition of sagacious love…like the lines sagacious love doesnt meet the immediate wants….you are capable of love because God loved you first. Thank you.
Thanks Jeena for your heartfelt response.
Any attempt to write of God’s love turns out to be more like a review of a book that you find at the back cover of a grand novel – in that case this article should be THE BEST review ever written of The Bible. Makes you want to read more to find out what happens:) Thank you Ash:)
Wow! Thanks. Truly overwhelmed by your sweet and generous feedback. Hence, can we know your NAME (anonymous) reader?
Thank you Ash, indeed one of the best comprehension of God’s love for us. This is true Love, everything else is just a diminished misinterpretation of Love.
Praying for grace so that many more of us can learn to live out this true Love in our lives in Jesus Name.
Amen. Thanks a lot for your wonderful insights on God’s love.
Beautiful article! Enjoyed reading about sagacious love of God!
From Roseline
Thanks Roseline. May you enjoy the sagacious love of God every day.
So beautiful and true–thank you!
Thank you Johanna for your encouraging affirmations.
So beautiful.. 🥰