“In the big picture of things, my part is small, but a lot of people playing small parts is what fills in the big picture.”
(Bill Sweeney comment)
“Just Imagine” – Unshakeable Hope, Bill Sweeney

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I am fascinated by a common theme running through so many post and blogs.  No matter the trial and tribulation, the pain and suffering, the highs and lows – the common thread in almost all is … love.

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“To be known is to be loved and to be loved is to be known.”

“To see all that I am and could be – all my hopes, loves and fears.”

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Is that not what we each want … what we each search for – each hope for … What we  each nurture when we find that … let slip through our fingers so carelessly … What we so often ascribe to “slushy romance” of popular fiction and song … ?  Except …

THAT is not Love that is this common thread throughout.

Love IS …

“To be known is to be loved and to be loved is to be known.
To see all that I am and could be.
To see all my hopes, loves and fears.”
The Gospel of John – most of chapter 4
The women at the well.

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“My food,” said Jesus, “is to do the will of him who sent me and to finish his work.
Don’t you have a saying, ‘It’s still four months until harvest’?
I tell you, open your eyes and look at the fields!  They are ripe for harvest.
Even now the one who reaps draws a wage and harvests a crop for eternal life, so that the sower and the reaper may be glad together.
Thus the saying ‘One sows and another reaps’ is true.
I sent you to reap what you have not worked for.

Others have done the hard work,

And you

Have reaped the benefits

Of their labour.”

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“In the big picture of things, my part is small, but a lot of people playing small parts is what fills in the big picture.”

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What do I believe?

I believe in dropping small pebbles into a still silent pool – sowing “pebbles” maybe.  But never “reaping” the ripples.  The ripples are not my harvest.  The sowing neither.

I believe what I believe right now because of my relationship with Love.  And there is much in the bible that speaks to me and there is much that doesn’t.  And that speaking changes. 

My part in Love is small.  But it is more than enough.

Because together … ?

So why do we have to say the right words at the right time in the right way?  If no one comes to the Father but through Love why split hairs over the path to Love?  Why split hairs over Love itself?

Because whatever my skin colour, my country, my culture, my wealth or poverty, my aspirations and hopes, my faith or my no faith … and no matter how all of that changes over the years …

We all know Love.  We all seek Love.  We are all loved (if we allow).

“To be known is to be loved and to be loved is to be known.”

Is that “scriptural”?  Is that “correct” and “verifiable” biblically?  Do I discern the Spirit affirming a truth?

Are we debating theology – or are we looking for love … ?  Are we looking for love – or are we making God fit my faith … ?  Are we making God fit my faith (today) – because  my religious comfort zones (today) are more important?

Love who came to challenge and invite … who speaks Love in our words … who meets us where are (today) so that we might “get” Love’s love.  And who never demands we become any more than we already are.  Who simply invites us to become who we never thought we could ever be.

“In the big picture of things, my part is small, but a lot of people playing small parts is what fills in the big picture.”

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The big picture is Love … always.

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