Lenten Meditation: The Furthest Distance in the World

The furthest distance in the world

is not between life and death

But when I stand in front of you

Yet you don’t know that

I love you

The furthest distance in the world

Is not when i stand in front of you

Yet you can’t see my love

But when undoubtedly knowing the love from both

Yet cannot

Be together

The furthest distance in the world

Is not being apart while being in love

But when plainly can not resist the yearning

Yet pretending

You have never been in my heart

The furthest distance in the world

Is not

But using one’s indifferent heart

To dig an uncrossable river

For the one who loves you

by Rabindranath Tagore (7 May 1861 – 7 August 1941)

When I read this poem, the ripples in my heart kept fluctuating. I felt that God’s love us people is exactly like this.

I once heard a preacher said that the biggest difference between Christians and other religions is love. Not only does God always love us, but God also wants us to love others.

We love, because He first loved us .

~1 John 4:19

This clearly tells us that God’s love for us is so direct and unquestionable. Accordingly, 1 John 20-21 emphasizes that that Love for others is the true evidence of our knowledge and love of God. Those who love God must love their brothers and sisters and represent the double commandment - to love God, and love neighbor.

In the real world of life, I have faced the stories of my own brothers and sisters. But no matter what happens, I always hold on to God’s words Love your neighbors as yourself.  Each of us has a different story about facing family or friends. How we love others as ourselves is the lesson God has given us.

Love never ends. But as for prophecies, they will come to an end; as for tongues,   they will cease; as for knowledge, it will come to an end.

~1 Corinthians 13:8

I have always enjoyed reading 1 Corinthians 13; Paul wrote that the positive qualities of love are the opposite of the Corinthians’ behavior presented elsewhere in the letter. Praising love is in contrast with overvaluation of spiritual gifts that produces divisiveness. In 1 Corinthians 13:1-3, it points out that …but do not have love, I am a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal… but do not have love, I am nothing… but do not have love, I gain nothing.

And now faith, hope, and love abide, these three; and the greatest of these is love.

~1 Corinthians 13:13

The furthest distance in the world is not the way from birth to the end.

It is when I stand in front of you, but you don’t understand I love you.

This is like the relationship between God and human. God is often standing in front of people, but people just can’t see Him. We are Christians, after our baptism we receive the identity of children that God has promised us. We should cherish our status, walk with God and glorify God’s grace and share the blessings we enjoy with our family, friends and even someone who don’t know Jesus. We should regard spreading the love of Christ as the joyful gift to others.

~submitted by Jane