Human Love vs 'Original Love'
The book Original Love helped me so much in understanding more deeply the Love of God for me personally. I so loved this notion that says "He loves me not because I have anything to offer Him but because I came from Him." (Genesis 2:23) This idea captured my heart. It made me realized that as a woman, I don't need to display my worth from my own resources to attract in any way and I don't need to prove my value or capability. I have nothing on my own. All that I possessed was given to me by God through Christ (the second Adam), and with Him I am can become the receiver of blessings with a trusting obedience and a joyful submission.
"Agape means benevolent love, a love that does not depend on any qualities possessed by the receiver." I am chosen because He created me, and His agape love imparts value to me rather than requiring it from me. He doesn't need me to be beautiful, but rather by obeying Him I become beautiful in accordance with His will. Though we push Him away He will never give up on us, for we are of Him. Can you see? Isn't it amazing? Isn't it fascinating? Who wouldn't be grateful for that? Who wouldn't be in love with that? Such love is without a parallel!
My eyes that were blindfolded by [Eros] love were gently brought to light by His [Agape] Love! The more clearly my eyes beheld, the more I could say, "What beauty! What greatness of goodness and mercy that followed me all the days of my life!" (Psalms 23:6) Indeed. He loves me with an everlasting love! (Jeremiah 31:3) I am forgiven! (Ephesians 4:32) And so I will leave you a short poem. It is about the painful experience of broken human love, which became a sweet experience upon reflecting it with God's eyes of wisdom. With that, understanding and forgiveness much abound!
"To the One that God Allowed"
I was seeking for Love I thought I never received.
Seeking but being blindfolded, somehow still decisive.
A Love that is True Love but I misconceived.
Someone who will hear my cry and stay by my side, that's what I perceived.
Until I fell into the ditch - and that's my Love's perspective.
I was headstrong, blind and uncontrollable.
That's the time when you were favorable.
Time passed by, our relationship was tolerable,
But after four years it was so unbearable,
It wasn't anymore reasonable.
I was the one who asked for an end,
Because I supposed it wasn't Love that I comprehend,
And I was certainly right, it was all Lust that I apprehend.
I never regret that all of a sudden,
Because I certainly accept the fact that God allowed it to happen.
God allowed you to come my way,
For me to know what True Love means.
It is calm and deep, contrary to man's imagination,
True Love is not a fiery, impetuous passion,
But it is Pure and Holy.
God allowed you to take advantage and hurt me.
For me to know that even when I am fragile and weary,
By God's Grace I am still capable of Loving fully.
Because God saved me from the quagmire of iniquity.
And it is the Highest form of Love, the Agape who Loves unselfishly.
God allowed you to walk away from me,
Because God wants me to contemplate that He has the Best plan for me.
All my choices and plans are delinquency.
This time I want to yield myself to God with a highest piety.
God will surprise me on my way to Eternity.
God allowed you to be part of my journey,
For me to appreciate the person that I have become now wholly,
And prepare me to cultivate the talents and gifts He has given me,
For the proclamation of the Last Message of Mercy.
So in the end you become the one that God allowed for me.
That was my experience and realization of how God allowed circumstances to teach me the meaning of True Love, which is the Agape. Even when I am in a blighted state, much beauty and grace that is in Christ remains at the cross of calvary for me. God is able to restore and heal all wounds and so there is no sorrow, nor crying, neither any more pain: for the former things are passed away.
What can I repay to such love? Therefore I leave you with this quote from the Spirit of Prophecy Christ Object Lesson 116.2 it says,
"We are to give ourselves to Christ, to live a life of willing obedience to all His requirements. All that we are, all the talents and capabilities we possess, are the Lord's, to be consecrated to His service. When we thus give ourselves wholly to Him, Christ, with all the treasures of heaven, gives Himself to us. We obtain the pearl of great price."
