I will return again to my place
until they acknowledge their guilt and seek my face.
In their distress they will beg my favor:
“Come, let us return to the Lord;
for it is he who has torn, and he will heal us;
he has struck down, and he will bind us up.
After two days he will revive us;
on the third day he will raise us up,
that we may live before him.
Let us know, let us press on to know the Lord;
his appearing is as sure as the dawn;
he will come to us like the showers,
like the spring rains that water the earth.”
What shall I do with you, O Ephraim?
What shall I do with you, O Judah?
Your love is like a morning cloud,
like the dew that goes away early.
Therefore I have hewn them by the prophets,
I have killed them by the words of my mouth,
and my judgment goes forth as the light.
For I desire steadfast love and not sacrifice,
the knowledge of God rather than burnt offerings. ~ Hosea 5:15-6:6
Love. Not sacrifice.
As 21st century Christians, we aren't still making burnt offerings in a Temple to God.
But we still make sacrifices. We still try to give God stuff, hoping that will earn favor with God: things like money and time.
And we certainly should give God our time, our treasures, and our talents
But why are we doing that? Is it to earn points with God?
Or is it because of love. Because what we have is important enough to us to want to share with God and with others.
It seems to be difficult for us to remember that it's all about love. All of it. It seems to be difficult to remember that God isn't calling us to do anything else - because to love will ultimately lead to all those things we think we need to do.
Love leads to it all. Love leads to everything that God desires.
Teach me to love beyond all measure! Amen
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