Love Like an Ocean
I pray that you and all God’s holy people will have the power to understand the greatness of Christ’s love – how wide and how long and how high and how deep that love is.
Ephesians 3:18 NCV
When it comes to vacations, it seems that most people fall into 2 categories. They’re either mountain people or they’re beach people. And while Gwen and I love the grandeur and majesty of the mountains, we are definitely beach people. There’s just something about the sun, sand, and sea that feeds our souls and sets our minds and bodies to rest.
Over the years we’ve been to numerous beaches, but the place we return to again and again and again is Hilton Head Island, South Carolina. It is our “happy place.”
One of the pleasures we share while on vacation in Hilton Head is early morning walks on the beach. The tranquility. The beauty.
One particular morning was especially so. The sky was an utterly cloudless brilliant cobalt blue. The temperature was perfect and the dolphins were putting on a show as they hunted for their breakfast.
As we looked out over the vastness of the ocean and the expanse of the sky, the words of a beloved hymn came to Gwen’s mind. The title is, “The Love of God” and while all the stanzas are rich in theology, it was the third that came to life before us.
And as she began singing it, I could see why.
Could we with ink the ocean fill
And were the skies of parchment made
Were every stalk on earth a quill
And every man a scribe by trade
To write the love of God above
Would drain the ocean dry
Nor could the scroll contain the whole
Though stretched from sky to sky
(Chorus)
O love of God, how rich and pure!
How measureless and strong!
It shall forevermore endure
The saints' and angels' song
To my way of thinking those words rank as some of the richest in hymnody. And in reflecting on them in that beautiful setting of boundless sea and limitless sky, they took on an even deeper meaning.
I found myself spontaneously responding in worship in that open-air cathedral, murmuring, “Oh Lord, how wondrous is Your love. How immeasurable is Your affection for me. And how I praise You for it.”
My friends, how I long for you to somehow grasp in a fresh way the immensity of the love of God for you.
In the words of the Apostle Paul…
“…I pray that you and all God’s holy people will have the power to understand the greatness of Christ’s love – how wide and how long and how high and how deep that love is. Christ’s love is greater than anyone can ever know, but I pray that you will be able to know that love...” (Ephesians 3:18-19 NCV)
As you move through your week, no matter what you face, know this: the love of God for you will never dim and never end. And this can allow you to face anything and everything with confidence.
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