In my life, God has been teaching me lessons through my experiences. Many painstaking lessons taught the fact that we cannot always understand God’s ways. In God’s plan for our lives, he tells us that we are not always meant to have what our heart desires.
There is a movie, it is a biblical one and the title is Jeremiah, it was produced in 1998. I recorded this Lux Vide film one day many months ago from TBN’s movie line up. From the first time I watched this movie it has been one of my favorite “go to” movies. I noticed while watching Jeremiah’s story that it provided a comfort to me. To try to describe in words this comfort, that I cannot express.
There are several scenes in the movie that my heart resonated with. One scene was in the desert, as Jeremiah was on his way to see his beloved Judith. God was waiting for him and spoke to him. God knew where he was going and what his intentions were. Jeremiah desired his will, to go find Judith and make her his wife but God needed a prophet. Jeremiah said “Not me Lord, let me go my own way!”. God in reply told Jeremiah his plans and this left him heartbroken and in distress.
He continued on his journey in the desert to the nearby village where Judith was. He felt a need to see her once more but only allowed himself to gaze at her briefly from a distance and then he turned back to go where God needed him. He obeyed God. Jeremiah followed God’s plan for his life even though he knew that meant letting go of who he loved. The most profound moment for me in the movie is the last scene where Jeremiah and Judith were together. A weary Jeremiah held the woman he loved, a heartbroken and confused Judith who listened with perplexity as he told her God had taught him we cannot always have what we desire in this world.
“We cannot always have what we desire in this world.”
At hearing these words spoken by Jeremiah, I was overwhelmed with emotion and piercing understanding within my heart. I felt Jeremiah’s heartache. Sometimes in our lives we have to let go of those we love for many reasons… to love is to let go of what is dear to you, to give away what you treasure, back to God. I felt a reminder this week of how painful it can be to let go of something you love. As I took a treasured gift and gave it away but the great love behind the action provided strength. It was hard at first to let go but love allows us to reach new depths within ourselves and give more than we thought we ever could. That is what is beautiful about Love, it provides a new perspective and focus on the other instead of oneself, Love allows us to empty ourselves for the good of others.
As I pondered on the events in my life, I tried to understand Gods will. I contemplated on how Jesus loves. I contemplated the meaning of the trials, surprises and changes on my path. I could detect a pattern, one that revealed I have had to let go of those I love along my journey more times than I wish to ponder. Although, my comfort and solace is giving love through my actions, sprinkling kindess and giving surprises to those I love for the time God has willed them to be in my story. Everything that happens in time, every hug, every gift, all the moments and love we share and give to others is sealed in time for eternity. Nothing can take that away which is sealed.
How is God teaching you to love others through the events of your life? What is he showing you? What is he telling you? Where is he leading you?
Let us learn from Jesus’s example and embrace how God loves…
Let go. Let God and LOVE.
