September 4, 2015

(Psalm 36)

I really do like Facebook. Over the years, I have made connections, as well as friends, and I really do love my friends. I really do.

Some of them are spiritual brothers and sisters, some are friends who do not share my love for Jesus. I love all of them.

What I notice lately is that some of the friends post articles that are pretty blunt about the ways Christians offend them, the ways Christians care more about “pushing their religion” than caring for the person they are “beating up.”

I love a good argument, or heated discussion. But, of late, I have been feeling discouraged at my inability to express the love of my life that compels me. I get caught up in the exchange of different philosophies, but end up with a deep sorrow that I may be losing a friend in the process.

I read the articles that you guys post, nearly all of them. Pro Christ, and against. Black lives matter, blue lives matter, all lives matter. I read ’em all.

The other day, I remembered a verse of scripture. It just popped into my thoughts so I wrote it down to look up later. “In your light, we see light.”

I had to search for it, and I found it in the book of Psalms, chapter 36.

“How priceless is your unfailing love, O God!

People take refuge in the shadow of your wings.

They feast on the abundance of your house; you give them drink from your river of delights.

For with you is the fountain of life; in your light we see light.” (NIV)

Another version says it like this:

“How precious is your unfailing love, O God!

All humanity finds shelter in the shadow of your wings.

You feed them from the abundance of your own house, letting them drink from your river of delights.

For you are the fountain of life, the light by which we see.”

(NLT)

Everyone benefits from God’s goodness on this earth. Everyone. He lets all drink from his river of delights. All.

When I think of him being my fountain of life, I realize that He even sends light to me from those that don’t love him. A couple of my friends tell me that I should try to understand better those who disagree with me. That I should be better able to hear them.

In your light, I see light.

Perhaps, if I see the light He shines my way from all around, others may catch a glimpse of His light, shining through my many cracks.

Keith Green used to sing a song that had the line, “I really, really, only want to see you there!”

When it all ends here, I really want all my friends to be there, too.