Heart Thoughts from Helen

A VALENTINE HEART THOUGHT…from Helen

“In a great trial of affliction the abundance of their joy and their deep poverty abounded unto the riches of their liberality” (2 Corinthians 8:2)

“The Shining Barrier”, describes the bond of two lovers in the book, A SEVERE MERCY. A true story of his marriage, penned by Sheldon Van Auken, this book captured my heart back in the late ‘70’s. True to the theme, it glows with a depth of commitment not frequently seen today. The abundance of their joy expressed itself in giving to each other.

In the above mentioned love story, giving ‘a cup of cold water in the middle of the night’ evidenced one way that husband and wife’s devotion shone during what proved extremely trying circumstances. I’ve thought about the shining barrier and that cup of cold water quite a bit. I don’t shine too brightly in the middle of the night, but the depth of the nocturnal need could arouse the servant in me. Lest I give the story away, suffice to say, it’s a page turner and a two hanky book.

Love demands expression. The Shining Barrier may seem to be made of concrete or solid steel at times, however, it is true that you can give without loving, but you cannot love without giving. Whether it is a cup of cold water in the middle of the night for ANY reason, or just hand holding for NO reason, love demands expression. And, of course, a box of chocolates (preferably with nuts) can go a long way in shining through some Valentine-ish barriers if they are sugar free, of course.

Jesus celebrated love by loving to give. He performed His first recorded miracle at a wedding. Wedding feasts originate with the love of one for another. Love that demands expression shining on the faces of two individuals pledging to shine through every barrier, in sickness and in health, richer poorer, etc. Jesus demonstrates the love of the Bridegroom giving His intended, the Church, an engagement ring in the Person of The Holy Spirit. He is the guarantee given to us that the best is yet to be. The engagement ring I wear on my ring finger left hand accompanies the wedding ring placed there forty-two years ago. Through the years, ‘the shining barrier’ may seem somewhat tarnished and a cup of cold water in the middle of the night could easily have been splashed in each other’s face (not actually). But then there are the truly shining moments when love endures and self is denied at all cost. Those of us married for any length of time KNOW that the sugary Valentine “love” advertised today leaves much untold of true commitment.

Until Jesus, THE BRIDEGOOM, Himself comes for His Bride and the wedding feast commences, The Spirit of God bears witness in our hearts what truly stands as The Shining Barrier, The Light of the world. That love demonstrates expression: “For God so loved the world …that HE GAVE His only begotten Son.” (John 3:16)

Love loves to give, not in measure but abundantly. (Amy Carmichael)

How do you express your love? Is it a shining barrier?