The God of Unmatched Shoes! Day 13

Love is all you need!

Have you heard the story of ‘the God of unmatched shoes’? A rich patron of arts commissioned an artist to paint a picture of the Prodigal son. After some time the artist came to the patron with the painting. At the unveiling of the painting, all who saw it were stunned by its beauty and detail. The painting showed the prodigal and the son about to embrace each other and the scene was breathtaking. But soon the patron noticed a flaw in the painting.  Towards the bottom of the scene, crystal-clear was the fact that the father had on his feet, one red shoe and one blue shoe. The patron was stunned. He questioned the artist about the error and asked if the artist realized his error. The artist smiled and said,  “Yes, this is a beautiful representation of the love of God for His children.” “What do you mean?” asked the puzzled patron. The artist replied, “The father in this picture was not interested in being color-coordinated or fashion-conscious when he went out to meet his son. In fact, he was in such a hurry to show his love to his son, he simply reached and grabbed the nearest two shoes that he could find. -He is the God of the Unmatched Shoes.” *

Dear Friend, aren’t you glad that God loves you, teaches the same in Word, and through Jesus’ sacrifice reveals his love for YOU? Coming to love, many read 1 Corinthians 12:31-13:13 and think that is THE teaching about love. But let’s see what else God the Holy Spirit teaches us through His Word. 

Love “covers all offenses (sins)” Proverbs 10:12

Love is ‘greater than faith or hope’ 1 Corinthians 13:13**

Love that is perfect “casts out fear.” 1 John 4:18

Love of Christ “surpasses knowledge” Ephesians 3:19

There are many more verses and passages coming to God’s love but consider what Jesus commands us -  34 A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another. 35 By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.” (John 13:34-35)

God in all his love shows himself to us through Jesus (John 8:19) and the Bible teaches us the true Jesus. So let us get to know more of Jesus and God. But at the same time let us remember that if we do not love others, we truly don’t/can’t know God (1 John 4:12, 20).

Dear Father, Jesus said, “If you knew me, you would know my Father also.” Please provide me the fortitude and the mind-set to look up to Jesus, to know him and thereby know you. In Jesus name I ask and pray. Amen.

* Abridged - illustration found on the web.  Original from sermon.com.

**Please consider this question  ‘Will I need faith and/or hope in heaven?’ As you ponder the question – approach the question with this truth – In heaven you are in the presence the Triune God -the object of your faith and the God of your hope.