"So Far"

They asked how, and I said now,

It’s just so far, so good.

In retrospect, I don’t expect,

But if they only could,

Know half the way, and still okay,

I’ve been to greet this morn,

A journey long, both right and wrong,

‘Cause I have been twice born.

A steaming cup, and I look up,

To see the pink-streaked sky,

One final star, I think how far,

I’ve come, and did not die.

Had horseback wrecks, and what the hecks,

A broken bone or two,

Turned over cars, crawled out of bars,

Close calls I’ve had a few.

Been unchosen and ‘bout frozen,

By the cold winds that have blown,

Been sated and been hated,

But always I have known,

That the hardest fight and blackest night,

Could never take away,

God’s great love from up above,

Though I was prone to stray.

From Pike’s old peak to the Dead Salt Sea,

I’d say I’ve been around,

Blessed to behold, God’s world so bold,

When I was travel-bound.

Raised cowboy way, wish I could say,

I lived up to that code,

But God knows why, and sees my try,

And helps me bear my load.

Push came to shove, been blessed by love,

And there was more to be,

And still I go, God’s love to show,

Until He’s through with me.

And till that time, I seek and find,

God’s highest and His best,

Look back with peace, by grace release,

And then go to my rest.

“And I am convinced that nothing can ever separate us from God’s love…” (Romans 8:38, NLT)

It’s a wonderful thought, but what does it mean, exactly? Does it mean that God condones or indulges our selfish, immoral behavior? The answer is no. He loves us in spite of it. He hates what makes us sick. That’s why Jesus died to heal and save us. But His love is constant, and ever faithful. But does that mean that everyone is saved? Actually, no, to that, too. We are offered His love continually, but must intentionally and proactively receive it and cooperate with it to be healed by it. God’s love has the power to heal every wound and forgive every sin, but will never be forced upon anyone. If we were coerced by it, it wouldn’t be love. We are given it unconditionally, but we must intentionally receive it to be transformed by it. The fact that His love is always there, and nothing can separate us from it, is a wonderful truth. Don’t let that truth be wasted. Say yes to the love that says yes to you.

Lord, help us to receive and share Your faithful love, in Jesus’ name.

Art by Mark Maggiori, markmaggiori.com. Used by permission. Thanks, Mark, and God bless you.