The transforming power of love

Many of you will be familiar with the film “The Sound of Music” in which a young, attractive nun is sent to look after the children of a severe Navy captain. When Maria arrives in the house she is shocked to discover the harsh way in which this father treats his children. As the story unfolds we discover that the captain’s wife has died and that he has closed his heart to love and feelings of any kind. Maria wins the hearts of the children and gradually starts to win the captain over as well. He changes from being a distant, harsh father to a gentle, loving one. As Maria wins his heart he allows himself to be loved once again. This film is a wonderful story of the transforming power of love.

“The Sound of Music” shows us what the power of love can do. It illustrates what living in love means and how the Father’s love can change us. As the captain received love he changed and he, too, became a lover. Just as Maria was persistent, so our Father is persistent in his pursuit of our hearts. As Maria brought life to a lifeless family, so the Father brings life to our lifeless hearts. 

God want us to know who he really is. He is a Father and he wants to be a Father to YOU.

Ours to enjoy

“He is wooing you from the jaws of distress to a spacious place free from restriction, to the comfort of your table laden with choice food.” (Job 36:16)

God wants his children to break out and be free. He does not want us to live in a restricted place where we are unable to enjoy all that he has for us. He wants his glory to be revealed in us. He wants us to know that we are truly his sons and daughters. He wants us to glorify him through our lives. He wants us to separate ourselves from the world’s orphan ways and leave them behind. The world is waiting for the sons of God to be revealed.

He offers us a life of freedom and it is ours to enjoy.

A glorious freedom

As we receive a revelation of his love we will start to shine as the sons and daughters of God. Matthew 5:16 encourages us to let our light shine before men so that they may see our good deeds and give praise to our Father. This is not about other people seeing our polished performances but about the flow of his love through our lives which attracts others, not to us, but to our Father. As love flows through us, it will change us and flow from us to others. As we love others in the way we have been loved, the world will know that we are his disciples. We can only love others because he has first loved us! This is the hope for the world.

We are promised a glorious freedom. As with everything God offers, it is not a half measure. Our freedom will be attractive. Our freedom is meant to be un-bridled beauty.