Friday, August 31, 2007
How foolish.
To love, unrequited.
But, to quote a good movie
"We are all fools in love"
I finished reading Joshua today. All of the children of Israel are gathered around Joshua, and he tells them that God requires absolute obedience.
The crowd answers "Far be it from us..." to stop following the Lord who has just given them their land and driven out the peoples of the land before them.
But Joshua flat out says: “You are not able to serve Jehovah, for he is a holy God"
But all of the people say "No! We'll serve God!"
The reader rejoices. Finally these people know what is up and what is down! Finally they desire to serve God. Finally, they are willing to worship him exclusively. Even knowing they won't be able to serve him adequately, they want to try.
And the next book is Judges... and all of the next generation forgets about God. Heartbreaking. And heartbreakingly familiar. One recognizes oneself, and one wonders...
Like a man being faithful to an adulterous wife. Like a friend forgiving a betrayal. Again and again, by any human standard, He is a fool in love. Is that what perfect love is? Never giving up, never becoming bitter, never closing your heart to the beloved, or to love at all. Never ceasing to be vulnerable. Never ceasing to be hurt.
How foolish.
How wonderful.
To love, unrequited.
But, to quote a good movie
"We are all fools in love"
I finished reading Joshua today. All of the children of Israel are gathered around Joshua, and he tells them that God requires absolute obedience.
The crowd answers "Far be it from us..." to stop following the Lord who has just given them their land and driven out the peoples of the land before them.
But Joshua flat out says: “You are not able to serve Jehovah, for he is a holy God"
But all of the people say "No! We'll serve God!"
The reader rejoices. Finally these people know what is up and what is down! Finally they desire to serve God. Finally, they are willing to worship him exclusively. Even knowing they won't be able to serve him adequately, they want to try.
And the next book is Judges... and all of the next generation forgets about God. Heartbreaking. And heartbreakingly familiar. One recognizes oneself, and one wonders...
Like a man being faithful to an adulterous wife. Like a friend forgiving a betrayal. Again and again, by any human standard, He is a fool in love. Is that what perfect love is? Never giving up, never becoming bitter, never closing your heart to the beloved, or to love at all. Never ceasing to be vulnerable. Never ceasing to be hurt.
How foolish.
How wonderful.
