Monday, July 18, 2011

Romance and Christ

The more I think about it, the more I realize we've been sold a bill of goods. There's much money to be made by propping up the elusive idea of romantic love. Will I ever find "the one." When will love call my name? How will I know when I'm in love?

And, I think the Church has been just as guilty dangling this elusive idol in front of our eyes as our American culture.

Don't take this as "romance bashing." I think I can be as romantic as the next guy. But, when will we learn that the ultimate love, the perfect love, the love that eclipses all love is Christ?

And, when we will believe that the Body of Christ is where we should experience that true love.

Sorry. No questions today. Except, why can't we see this?
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3 comments:

stephen said...

what's the bill of goods? surely its not romantic love, in and of itself. entitlement, perhaps?

I believe that ultimate love is found in Christ. I also see the fulfillment of this in the Body and among my brothers and sisters. Recently, a friend of mine even went so far as to challenge the old saying "if you want to be sharpened, to become holy, less selfish, etc...just get married!"...the way he sees it - and I tend to agree - he sees this happening in his life b/c of his close friendship with the rest of us single guys that spend most of our days and evenings together. we're learning that we can learn these things NOW that have- until this point in our minds - been reserved for marriage.

that, however, doesn't seem to help all across the board. romantic love doesn't really seem all that elusive to me. Is it an idol? yes. Does it have to be? no. surely I can hold these wonderful and beautiful truths about Christ and His Church in tension with the fondness I have toward the idea of sharing my life with a woman. Marriage doesn't have to be the end all be all for the believer, but it can still sound awfully nice. I want to be careful not to become a cynic in this area, something I can very easily fall into.

good and timely thoughts for me.

10:49 PM
Rodney Reeves said...

Stephen,

I'll put it like this, if romantic love is attainable, then why do we have so many songs, movies, book, tv shows, etc. that picture the quest as illusive?

I don't think I'm being cynical. Rather, if the love of Christ is the highest love, then why do we act like it's not, i.e., so much pressure in Christian subculture to marry in order to be fulfilled.

8:40 AM
stephen said...

yeah, I hear you now. I don't think you were being cynical - but I tend to take that path occasionally. it seems that this idea is perpetuated by married and unmarried folk alike.

1:00 PM

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