The Joy of choosing God's love

THE WORD IN ADVENT

December 16, 2021: Third Thursday in Advent
Isaiah 54: 1-10; Luke 7: 24-30

For the mountains may depart, the hills be shaken, but my love for you will never leave you - the most consoling words that one can hear from God! Yes, the love of the Lord gladdens our heart, it gives us a reason to rejoice! It is said, every tiny child that is born into this world is a sign that the Lord has not given up on us. And the child born, whom we are preparing to celebrate, is not only the sign of God's love, but God's love itself made flesh.

This great joy that the Lord gives, does not depend only on God. If it were so, we would have no problem in experiencing it. But not all experience it and definitely not all in the same level or degree! Hence, there is another variable involved here and that is: my personal choice for God!

Joy is ensured by the Lord and the Lord's love; but it has to be chosen by me, freely and willingly - not grudgingly and half-heartedly. When you went to see the Baptist, Jesus says, you knew it would be difficult to digest who he was, what he said and what he demanded from you! But still you went - why? Because it was a choice, a choice for what is godly. 

This is the criteria to enter the Reign: to experience and witness for the joy of choosing God's love, over anything else. You could be famous, talented, popular, sought after, admired and respected, but that does not in anyway take away the importance, the significance and the absolute need for a personal choice for God and all that is godly. This is  the joy of choosing God's love!