The Love of Christ and Loving Others

"The love of Christ ... that surpasses knowledge." -Ephesians 3:19
The love of Christ in its sweetness, its fullness, its greatness, its faithfulness, passes all human comprehension. Where shall language be found which shall describe His matchless, His unparalleled love towards all human beings? It is so vast and boundless that, as the swallow just skims the water, and does not dive into its depths, so all descriptive words only touch the surface, while depths immeasurable lie beneath. Well might the poet say,
"O love, thou fathomless abyss!"
For this love of Christ is indeed measureless and fathomless; none can attain to it. Before we can have any accurate idea of the love of Jesus, we must understand His previous glory in its height of majesty, and His incarnation upon the earth in all its depths of shame. But who can tell us of the majesty of Christ? When He was enthroned in the highest heavens He was very God of very God; by Him were the heavens made, and all the hosts thereof. His own almighty arm upheld the spheres; the praises of cherubim and seraphim perpetually surrounded Him; the full chorus of the hallelujahs of the universe unceasingly flowed to the foot of His throne: He reigned supreme above all His creatures, God over all, blessed forever.
Who can tell His height of glory then? And who, on the other hand, can tell how low He descended? to be a man was something, to be a Man of sorrows was far more; to bleed, and die, and concede, these were much for Him who was the Son of God; but to allow such unparalleled agony - to endure a death of shame and desertion by His Father, this is a depth of condescending love which the most inspired mind must utterly fail to fathom. Herein is love! And truly it is love that "surpasses knowledge." O let this love fill our hearts with adoring gratitude, and lead us to practical manifestations of its power.
CHS Morning & Evening 3/28 a.m.

I was freshly reminded this morning of how I am loved by Christ. I can be tempted to respond to my husband and children in many ways that are not loving. Reading these words this morning was timely for me as I have felt recently that at times I have not been patient, kind and gracious through my words and actions (therefore NOT loving) towards my children primarily. It was kind of the Lord to give me an opportunity to express love to Hailey and Sydney this morning when Hailey left her entire bowl of granola with milk and orange juice near the edge of the table while she went potty. In the little time she was gone, Sydney managed to pour the entire bowl of cereal with milk and cup of juice all over the table, chair, booster, floor and somehow the vertical blinds that hang in our sliding door to go outside. Since this has been a common thing for Sydney to do recently (she thoroughly enjoys UNsetting the table after we have already set it) ... both Hailey and Justin know that they are not to keep things near the edge of the table within reach of Sydney. My initial inward response was one of frustration as I looked at the mess which needed cleaned up. But by God's grace I was quickly reminded of the precious truths that I had read this morning and was able to lovingly remind Hailey when she returned that it isn't helpful to leave things within Sydney's reach. Hailey was very quick to ask forgiveness and even offered to help me clean up the mess! Although this was a very small way for me to express love, I know that many more opportunities will arise each and every day (and probably more today!) as I look to train and disciple my children in the ways of the Lord. How thankful I am for the example of how Christ displays love, and how I desire to emulate this fathomless and measureless love of Christ!