by: Russell McLaughlin

Amazing Love

     When the boys were small, I read them a book titled: Guess How Much I Love You. The story is about two hares—Big Nutbrown Hare and Little Nutbrown Hare, who represent a father and son. Little Nutbrown Hare wants to tell Big Nutbrown Hare how much he loves him. Stretching out his arms, he says, “This much.” But Big Nutbrown Hare’s arms are bigger. So Little Nutbrown Hare tries again, comparing his love to longer and longer distances, “down the road and back.” Yet Big Nutbrown Hare always responds with something even greater. At last, Little Nutbrown Hare, sleepy under the rising moon, whispers, “I love you right up to the moon.” He drifts off to sleep. And Big Nutbrown Hare, with a quiet smile, replies, “I love you right up to the moon—and back.”

     This story beautifully illustrates the challenge of expressing something beyond words. Love cannot be measured in miles or distances, but we reach for comparisons to help us grasp its greatness.

     In Ephesians 3:14–19, Paul does something similar when he prays that believers might somehow comprehend the vastness of Christ’s love. He prays,  “18 may be able to comprehend with all the saints what is the breadth and length and height and depth, 19 and to know the love of Christ which surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled up to all the fullness of God.”  He is praying that we might grasp this love that is beyond our ability to fully understand. The only way we can comprehend it is through prayer—by God giving us the strength and insight to do so. Truly, the love of Christ is greater than words can tell. His love is awesome!

     May God deepen our understanding of the love of Christ. May we grow and be rooted in His love!