Today's Devotional

December 10, 2002

Subject:  Thought It Was The Thought

John 3:16 - "For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life." 

Is it just me or is the world that obvious these days with its intentions?  I was watching the football game last night and there was this diamond commercial on that you may have seen.  A man and woman are being lovey-dovey and he exclaims to the somewhat crowded city streets at the top of his lungs, "I love this woman.  I love this woman."  Of course she seems a little embarrassed and quiets him down and then he says, "okay, if that doesn't do it..."  He then slides a nice diamond ring on her finger.  At this she grabs him about the neck and whispers as if she's trying to convince herself, "I love this man.  I love this man."

What's up with that?  Perhaps I'm just not getting the marketing pitch in that commercial, but to me, I'm wondering why she waited until she had something material from him to decree her love for him.  I thought it was the thought that counted.  Well, you can believe there's gonna be a lot of love going around for the next couple of weeks base on that commercial.

The question we have to ask ourselves is, "what does it take for us to love or to acknowledge love from others?  And what about from God?"  Are we like the young man, ready to proclaim our love for God at the top of our lungs, or are we like the woman, waiting on Him to give us something else before we can really say it and then try to convince ourselves that we do in fact mean it.

If it's the thought that counts, then our love isn't based on what we give or what is given to us.  With God, it's not what He gives us, but what we know He feels for us.  He didn't demonstrate His love for us by giving us material possessions.  he did so by sacrificing himself in the form of His Son Jesus Christ.  He offered nothing tangible such as silver and gold to show His love.  He offered His Son.  More than a diamond ring.  More than anything.  What greater love could He show?  That's what He was thinking about.  When you think about that, that's the thought that counts.

Carlen