Written On Their Hearts: A Call to Love Deeply

 

I’ve always been a writer—I love writing poems for people, writing letters, writing funny little stories…but perhaps the most important writing I will ever do doesn’t involve a pen, paper, or a computer keyboard. Instead, it is the messages—the impressions, memories, and shared experiences—the best of myself that I’ve left with others in this life.

I am able to “leave a mark” on those I love because of the love and grace that was poured out to me when Jesus came to fulfill an un-keepable law, forever making His mark on this one He calls His own. He replaced rules and regulations with a “new covenant,” by which I became joint heirs with Him and have  a brand new nature! The new nature is like God’s—and so as I walk closer and closer alongside Him, I desire to do what He does—and He loves like no other.

Hebrews 10:15-17 says: “…And the Holy Spirit also testifies to us; for after saying, "THIS IS THE COVENANT THAT I WILL MAKE WITH THEM AFTER THOSE DAYS, SAYS THE LORD: I WILL PUT MY LAWS UPON THEIR HEART, AND ON THEIR MIND I WILL WRITE THEM," He then says, "AND THEIR SINS AND THEIR LAWLESS DEEDS I WILL REMEMBER NO MORE.””

He’s not talking about the laws of Moses—He’s referring to the superior law of love Jesus has provided for us—this law is all about relationship. And just as Jesus has “signed” His love into us (with His blood), we also have something to give as we live out His purposes on the earth. Those He’s placed in our lives get to be the recipients of the specific grace given to each of us—to be who He’s called us to be.  

“Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins” (I Peter 4:8). We are to follow Jesus’ example of love. He never focused on the sin but on who a person really was. In our relationships, we have an opportunity to be that person who truly sees the gold within a loved one—and because we do, our actions leave a unique deposit of grace in their hearts.

When I think of my mom, I know that I will always be different because of how she loved me, believed in me, laughed with me. Her “loving deeply” left a signature on my heart that is hers alone—something no one else could do. Many other relatives and friends have reserved heart-prints as well; each one is unique—and priceless.

Invest in others. Be that priceless gift to someone. We who are called by His name have been given a deep capacity to love. I am reminded of the words to an old hymn by Frederick M. Lehman, “The Love of God.” The first verse and chorus go as follows: 

The love of God is greater far
Than tongue or pen can ever tell;
It goes beyond the highest star,
And reaches to the lowest hell;
The guilty pair, bowed down with care,
God gave His Son to win;
His erring child He reconciled,
And pardoned from his sin.

Refrain:
Oh, love of God, how rich and pure!
How measureless and strong!
It shall forevermore endure—
The saints’ and angels’ song.

How measureless and strong is the touch of one heart upon another. Go forth empowered by His love today—that years from now the mention of your name will evoke gladness and thanksgiving in someone’s heart, because you chose to love deeply—and be written there.