When last we left Mr. Cole in December of 2012 (Tuesday's Musical Notes - "The Christmas Song"),
we found him warming chestnuts on an open fire. In many circles, his
rendition of Mel Torme's "The Christmas Song" is heralded during that
season second only to Bing Crosby's "White Christmas". Today we find
our crooner belting out a ballad that has its place in another season,
Valentine's Day. While not among many top ten Valentine's musical
lists, it is never the less heard on airwaves (regardless of the style
of music the station plays) during the middle of February. It is a song
that uses an acronym to describe the depth of feelings the singer has
for his dearly beloved one. It comes from the 1965 album of the same
name and would be the last full length album that Nat King Cole would
release before his death one month later. His daughter Natalie Cole
would record the song for her Unforgettable...With Love album which would win the Grammy for Best Album award in 1991.
"L
is for the way you look at me..." begins the memorable melodious
definition of the word "love". Since the beginning of time man has had
difficulty putting into meaningful words a complete perspective of the
deepest emotional connection people can have with one another.
Regardless of world view, the word "love" has some universal
characteristics that everyone understands as well as a variety of
aspects that no one seems to comprehend. For some, "love" is just
"love". They don't try to use the meager metrics of man to place a
value on something that is invaluable. They just accept the fact that
"love" is. They hope to experience it for themselves by being a
conduit through which it flows and to be the benefactor of it by one day
giving and receiving it from one special person.
"L
is for the life you gave for me..." could also be the way this song
begins. In this context, we see the Biblical model of "no greater love
does one have, than he lay down his life for another" (Musical Notes
paraphrase of John 15:13). This perspective is equal part mystery and
common knowledge. As we investigate why Jesus would say something like
this, we see the overall picture of His coming sacrifice for us. We
understand that sin has its price, yet we wonder why God would provide
the payment.
"O
is overwhelming grace I see..." It then becomes very evident that the
Creator of all things possesses the truest definition of the word
"love". He created man as a relational being. Man's most fulfilling
relationship would be the one with the Creator. In Eden, this
relationship was severed and man could do nothing in his own power to
get it back. In walks God's grace. An idea that is difficult for man
to understand. Regardless of our understanding, God still provides the
grace of forgiveness and allows the relationship to be restored through
the His Son, Jesus.
"V
is victory, He gives it at each bended knee...." So God provides the
grace, what do we have to do? According to the Bible, everything that
could be done to restore our relationship to God has already been done.
In the city of Jerusalem, Jesus suffered a cruel and humiliating death
as the payment for our restoration. Through this sacrifice, God now
only sees us through the perspective of Jesus...if we believe and
follow. In our comfy 2014 setting, belief in the torturous death of a
Jewish teacher may seem somewhat far fetched. It would be, if we did
not have the entirety of the Bible to provide the prelude and postlude
to what His death means. The Bible provides the prelude in the history
of sacrifice that God's people had to provide for redemption of their
disobedience. It provides the postlude in the future that God's people
have for believing and living a life of restoration through Jesus.
"E
is even more if we will open up that door..." So what comes next?
Maybe you are a follower of Jesus already. That's awesome!!! If you
are, then you should be very careful to not allow the "good"
distractions of this world to keep you from becoming more like Jesus
every day. This may mean going through some "doors" of our lives that
are uncomfortable. It may mean saying "no" to some of the good and fun
things that we usually do so we can go and do the wonderful and best
things that God has called us to do. We will find as we grow to be more
like Jesus, the restoration of our life back to God grows. Again...a
mystery this blog can't explain.
If
you are not a follower of Jesus, this ultimate expression of love is
waiting for you. If you would like to know more about being restored to
God through Jesus, start by reading the book of John. A parallel (two
versions) of this book can be found here: Book of John - The Message, New International Version Parallel This
story of Jesus (Gospel or Good News about Jesus) was written by a man
who knew Jesus earthly ministry better than many. Read the entire Book
of John and see what God through His Son Jesus, did for you. If I can
answer any question you have about this true story, please email me at rawacr@gmail.com.
Don't miss this opportunity to experience the greatest expression of
love you will ever encounter, because..."Love was made for me and
you...."
'Til Tuesday,
Serving HIM by serving you,Randy
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