Word: well said; said in agreement - Urban Dictionary

S - "In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things were made through him, and without him was not any thing made that was made. In him was life, and the life was the light of men. … The true light, which gives light to everyone, was coming into the world. He was in the world, and the world was made through him, yet the world did not know him. He came to his own, and his own people did not receive him. (John 1:1-4, 9-11 ESV)

O - These verses give very clear information about the person (identity and activity) of Jesus and his interface with heaven and earth. The response of both places is very different yet both are dependent on him for their existence. Considering this shared dependence, the stark contrast between his reception in heaven and on earth is surprising but no surprise to him. Jesus comes to dispel darkness, to affirm and express heaven's love for earth and especially for all earthlings. This love does not love to be loved but loves because it loves completely (unconditionally). It wants to be loved back but will it love regardless of the response (like light shining). He is life and light to all. All are wanted and all may receive.

A - I rarely love him or anyone this way, even though this is how I am relentlessly loved by him. Heaven's hope in me coming to this sad and true conclusion is not to inspire remorse but to inspire a response to love the way I am loved. Not only to love him this way but to love all this way. The capacity to do this rests not in me but in him. The decision to engage is mine. Heaven knows it will literally take a miracle and is prepared to produce one. Jesus will go on to tell us all "Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit by itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in me. I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing." (John 15:4-5 ESV) According to the grace that is Jesus I choose to receive and respond … to step into the light that is already shining.

P - Lord who is love, life and light,

Thank you for loving us no matter what. I need and want you and all you already have in mind. I engage the grace filled dignity of choice to love you back and all others the way I am loved by you. I choose you back; love you back; and will look to love my neighbors (all others) as myself. I admit this is impossible to me but very possible in you.

Word,

Steve