I had a dream a few weeks ago. In my dream, my friend drove to the St. Louis airport to pick up her dad. As she drove toward the arrival door, she spotted him running toward her. He saw her from a distance and couldn't wait to wrap his arms around her. He was jumping over benches, suitcases, and other weary travelers to get to her, to be with her, to feel her close, and encase her in his love.
It was a dream. I know my friend's dad. This is not his personality.
God who came to earth to live among us that Christmas morning 2000 years ago also jumps over any obstacle to love us.
Just as God spoke to Joseph in his dreams, I saw an illustration of God in my dream.
Often times when I'm arriving at an airport, weary from travel, I walk out through the TSA check point and see many being welcomed into the arms of loved ones. Those loved ones wait... in many cases for long hours. They greet with hand-crafted signs and big smiles, but they don't run toward those they are greeting; they can't - the TSA makes sure of that.
But God runs to us. He jumps over any obstacle to get to us, to enfold us in his arms, to whisper or shout the truth of his love to us.
My dream pictures Christmas.
God jumped over the obstacle of the virgin birth.
God jumped over the obstacle of the culture of the day that told Joseph to divorce Mary.
God jumped over the obstacle of Herod with his jealous desire to kill the baby.
Obstacles are not obstacles in God's economy. They are steps to show the depth, the height, the length, the breadth of his love, his care, his desire, his concern.
A thought to ponder this Advent - What are some of the obstacles God has hurdled on your behalf to show you his love?
"... that you being rooted and grounded in love, may have the strength to comprehend with all the saints what is the breadth and length and height and depth, and to know the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge..."
Ephesians 3:17-19
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