Enduring Love

Ian McEwan's novel, 'Enduring Love', tells the tragic story of someone being hounded and stalked by a very strange stranger, who has become obsessed. When challenged about his behaviour, of course the stalker claims to 'love' the target, who in response has to 'endure' this expression of 'love'.

It is a great read, and throws light on the various ways in which we relate positively or negatively with those closest to us. In some ways, it is like a well-lit mirror, in which we can see ourselves.

The Bible tells of a different sort of love, which endures, and redeems and restores. We are called to experience and know this love, which is beyond knowing! St. Paul had a wonderful description of this love. 'Then Christ will make his home in your hearts as you trust in him. Your roots will grow down into God’s love and keep you strong. And may you have the power to understand, as all God’s people should, how wide, how long, how high, and how deep his love is.  May you experience the love of Christ, though it is too great to understand fully.' (Ephesians 3.17-19)

But the Bible also reminds us that our love for God is often very transient. 

Speaking through the prophet Hosea, in the 8th century BC, the Lord says to his wayward people. ' “O Israel and Judah, what should I do with you?” asks the Lord.
“For your love vanishes like the morning mist and disappears like dew in the sunlight. ' (Hosea 6.4)

In response, the Lord repeatedly challenges the deviant behaviour of his people, and reminds them again and again of his love for them. In his love, he promises to deal with their problems, so that all may be well. ' The Lord says, “Then I will heal you of your faithlessness; my love will know no bounds, for my anger will be gone forever.
⁵ I will be to Israel like a refreshing dew from heaven. Israel will blossom like the lily; it will send roots deep into the soil like the cedars in Lebanon.
⁶ Its branches will spread out like beautiful olive trees,   as fragrant as the cedars of Lebanon.  My people will again live under my shade. (Hosea 14.4-7)

I am so grateful that the Lord's love for me and us is like this - which deals with our weaknesses, and longs to put us back together again.

Best wishes,

Richard