enter through love

It seems that this week we have come to think about love and relationships (well, at least I have). With Valentine’s Day, some family stuff, time with my wife and more I have come across some articles as well as a lot of Scripture that remind me that relationships take work, and relationships are worth working hard for.

One of those articles is from one of my favorite writers Henri Nouwen. The following is from an entry he wrote titled “Enter the House of Love” …

When we enter into the household of God, we come to realize that the fragmentation of humanity and its agony grow from the false supposition that all human beings have to fight for their right to be appreciated and loved. In the house of God’s love we come to see with new eyes and hear with new ears and thus recognize all people, whatever their race, religion, sex, wealth, intelligence, or background, belong to that same house. God’s house has no dividing walls or closed doors. “I am the door,” Jesus says. “Anyone who enters through me will be safe” (John 10:9). The more fully we enter into the house of love, the more clearly we see that we are there together with all humanity and that in and through Christ we are brothers and sisters, members of one family.

JOHN 17:23 NIV

"May they be brought to complete unity to let the world know that you sent me and have loved them even as you have loved me."

Literally, we need each other. Our lives are intended to make the lives of others better and strong. That is why Nouwen says we have to enter with love.

He is the way of love. He is love. Dig in a little deeper to see how much God loves you and how we can help others enter the same.

Through pain and struggle, our broken world and the battles of every day life it can be difficult to pursue Jesus. Yet through our choice to enter in life and living through the love of God we will find what Nouwen shared about. His love brings safety and growth and all kinds of possibilities.

Seek to enter the house of love.

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