Chapel – 4/29/20
This is the day that the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it. Ps. 118:24
“Boundless Love”
Love without bounds: it’s hard to imagine, right? If anyone, be it parent, grandparent, friend, or significant other, has told you lately that they love you, cherish it and say thank you! Saying “I love you” can roll off our tongues without regard for how we actually show it to those whom we love. Saying it-easy; showing it-much more difficult.
Our relationships in this world, however, and the love that goes into them, will have bounds sometimes. As much as we claim to really love someone, that love can be tested on occasion and forgiveness seems in short supply. Our love suddenly has bounds if someone has deeply offended us. As perfect as we think any earthly relationship might be, it will always fall short due to our imperfect sinful natural. Loving someone, as they say, is a work in progress.
John Prine died about two weeks ago due to covid-19. He’s probably the most famous song writer the general public has never heard of. Prine was sometimes referred to as the modern day “Mark Twain,” but he was much more than that. His candid description of human nature and our broken condition made him popular with other singers who loved covering his songs. John Prine was 73 and died professing Jesus as his Savior. We wouldn’t particularly know that judging from some of his early songs dating back to 1968. But one of his last compositions written about a year ago was called “Boundless Love.” The song describes a personal relationship he had that exemplified boundless love. Perhaps he was speaking of Jesus’s love.
Without actually knowing Prine’s precise motive for writing this song, the chorus of “Boundless Love” could easily describe the love God has for us in His Son, Jesus. Take a look at this:
Chorus:
“Surround me with Your boundless love
Confound me with Your boundless love
I was drowning in the sea, lost as I could be
When You found me with Your boundless love” (caps added)
Think for a moment how God surrounds us with His love: Ps. 32:10 “Many are the sorrows of the wicked, but steadfast love surrounds the one who trusts in the Lord.” Think about how God’s love is sometimes confounding (but that’s okay!): Phil 4:7 “And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” Think how lost we were, yet Jesus FOUND us: Luke 19:10 “For the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost.” If ever someone has backed up His “I love you,” it was Jesus. He gave up EVERYTHING for us: His throne in heaven, His righteousness, His life, and His death. No one has shown as much love as Jesus. He didn’t just say He loved us; He showed it in a profound way! We’re not always the most lovable people. When we can’t fulfill our “I love yous,” Jesus can because His love is bound-less. When we get to the end of every single day, whether good or bad, there is still grace surrounding us!
Prayer: Our Lord and Savior: Thank you for the gift of Your love. Thank you for reminding us of that love every day, a love that knows no bounds. And thank you for showing that you actually do love us so we are left with Your mercy and life everlasting. In Your name we pray, Amen.
Several songs on this topic: Enjoy! They’re all good, in my humble opinion:)
John Prine: “Boundless Love” (Remember, he’s about 72 and his voice is not what it used to be!)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XRyZBgeprMs&authuser=0
Women of Faith: “Boundless Love”
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LQ0bq-TfCsQ&authuser=0
The King’s Crew: “Boundless Love”
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LX3-bgIiASI&authuser=0