TUESDAY, DAY 30 OF LENT 2025

Today's reading brings me to John 15, beginning at verse 9:

Jesus words shared here are, "As the Father has loved me, I have also loved you. Remain in my love."

I am caught there momentarily. God loved His Son so much that He sent Jesus to the cross to die for us. It immediately makes me think of Christians who suffer 'for the Gospel' and causes my mind to wonder about times of deep suffering that people often have to endure in their faith journey...and sometimes because of their faith journey! I know that when we remain in the center of God's will nothing can touch us without God's permission. I know that whatever comes into our path is in God's knowing even if we are Jesus' followers but aren't exactly in the center of God's will in that moment. I know that God appears to use suffering and challenge as a way to nudge His people back to the right path. And I know that sometimes there is no apparent reason for suffering, it just happens. 

I believe that God can use all situations for His ultimate glory, because what I have ascertained is that when people are faithful in the midst of challenge and great difficulty it speaks volumes to others, and when our human condition - whatever that brings - is brought under God's sovereignty God can turn ashes to beauty. It is during those times that most assuredly we must 'keep on keeping on', take one step at a time, combat the darkness with God's truth that He does all things well, He is the potter and I am the clay, and though I can't see an end in sight, He and He alone knows. 

I read those words again and am compelled to see that no matter what the circumstances are that assail me my marching orders are to remain in His love. What if God sends me into difficulty or allows difficulty for a greater purpose? What if it is part of His love for me that will allow me to be more compassionate and understanding so I can reflect his love to others. What if my response to suffering somehow is designed to show his love for others? Today is a grappling day!

Verse 10 says, "If you keep my commands you will remain in my love, just as I have kept my Father's commands and remain in his love." 

And verse 12 defines what that command is: "This is my command: Love one another as I have loved you." And verse 13 adds: "No one has greater love than this: to lay down his life for his friends."

Am I willing to lay down my life, my needs, my wants, my desires, my view, for others? Grappling again!

In the subsequent verses Jesus shares with his closest followers that he has chosen them - and that he has appointed them to go and produce fruit, and he reiterates in verse 17, 

"This is what I command you: Love one another." 

It becomes our life challenge to learn how that love is demonstrated as we attempt to follow the Holy Spirit's leading. It is clear the path will not always be smooth or easy, that there will be rough times that are inserted into our journey, but equally clear that even in the rough patches God is with us, is faithful, and will sustain us. After all, we are His vineyard!