Remain in my love.
Remain in my love. When you obey my commandments, you remain in my love, just as I obey my Father’s commandments and remain in his love. —John 15:9b-10
Hollywood can be blamed for romanticizing love. Maybe that’s fair. Think about the scenes in a couple’s journey that aren’t shown. For example, we see a montage of events showing the passing of time. The montage may take a minute of screen time but covers months of time in the couples’ relationship. When the couple goes through a rough patch, 90% of the movie isn’t spent here. We may only get 9% of their trouble throughout the film.
Think about scenes included in a storyline that indicate time has passed with lines like these: “I spent the whole weekend thinking about us.” “Since I’ve been away, I went on as best as I could, and it was anything but the best.” “After graduation, I met Tobias. Since the night we became engaged, I knew I loved you.”
Far from a movie theater, we know relationships are work. They can even be confusing.
In this real love story, the one between Jesus and ourselves, Jesus gives us the best practice for maintaining love. He says, “Remain in my love.”
Don’t complicate this. It is that simple. Remain in love.
We may be too familiar with plot twists thanks to the big screen, but God’s love for us—and our love for him—isn’t this way. Yes, love is a choice; we can opt in or opt out; but Jesus is clear, constant and grounding. Stay in love with him. When hurdles and hardships come along, and, like in any movie they do find their way to us (or we find our way to them), remain in his love.
Love isn’t a feeling; it is a fact. Obeying the Lord’s commandments means we choose to live this fact daily. Which scenes movie directors and editors keep can be dicey, but the direction in our lives is simple. Remain in Jesus’ love.
PRAYER: Lights, camera, action! I choose to remain in your love, Jesus. That’s my line, and my life. Amen.
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