Ephesians 3:16-19 New International Version (NIV) 16 I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, 17 so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, 18 may have power, together with all the Lord’s holy people, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, 19 and to know this love that surpasses knowledge—that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.
Wow! GOD and our pastor really have a sense of humor! I happened by the church office last week as pastor was working on the sermon. He told me it was a hard one to talk about-INTIMACY. Then I realized that I was supposed to do the blog this week on intimacy. If it was hard for him…
I told pastor maybe I needed to get Cindy to write about this subject. Intimacy & Jerry don’t really belong in the same sentence together. I feel like I have several strengths, but intimacy is definitely not one of them. I was raised to be strong and not show weaknesses. Kind of like the film clip pastor showed-family, friends, GOD all should know that I love them-I don’t need to actually say or use that L word.
WRONG! I think that is why I have this blog. I think that is why GOD and pastor (intentionally or unintentionally) had me write this blog. I admit that I keep my feelings to myself. But that does not mean I can’t change. I have a hole in my heart that I need GOD to fill. As Paul prays-I also pray that I may be strengthened with the power through HIS Spirit in my inner being and that I fully realize the love of Christ that surpasses all knowledge.
Once I truly let GOD fill my heart, then I can really enjoy GOD’s intimacy and intimacy with my wife, family and friends. Once the foundation is laid in my heart, then the love, intimacy and closer relationships will follow. Any activity that does not originate from the foundation of GOD’S incredible love for me and the understanding that HE has a plan for me, will never bear the kind of fruit that GOD desires from me.
It is hard to undo 61 years of “being strong and not showing weakness.” But I am trying and vow to keep trying to comprehend the completeness of GOD’S love for me. I also will try to show and express my feelings and love for others.
So here goes—I LOVE YOU GOD. I LOVE YOU GOD. I LOVE YOU GOD!
I LOVE YOU CINDY.
Dear Lord, please completely fill my heart with Your Love. Please help me to be closer to You and to not hold back my feelings for You! Please help me to express my true feelings for YOU, my wife, my family, my friends and all that I come into contact with each and every day. Please fill me with the “love that surpasses knowledge”. I LOVE YOU! Amen
Jerry