July 27

The Loving No

This people’s heart has become calloused; they hardly hear with their ears, and they have closed their eyes. Otherwise they might see with their eyes, hear with their ears, understand with their hearts and turn (Acts 28:27).

Scripture: Acts 28:22-28

Song: “I Hear Thy Welcome Voice”

Jerry loved his son, but he was tormented by him too. His son was addicted to methamphetamines. In some ways, he had ceased to be the person Jerry knew as his son. No matter what Jerry did, his son did not respond. He lied. He stole things from the house to sell for drug money. He was verbally abusive to his father.

As a newly baptized Christian, Jerry wanted very much to love his son the way Jesus taught us to love. But it took much painful experience for Jerry to learn, and finally accept, that loving the way God loves us sometimes requires saying no to our loved ones. Part of love is having healthy limits and firm boundaries.

Jerry eventually secured a court order against his son. He had to get another against his son’s girlfriend. He had to change all the locks on the doors of his house and garage. Doing all this hurt Jerry deeply, but he knew it was the only way he could love his son.

It pains God when we will not listen to Him and when we live in ways that cause us harm. Yet God loves us too much to let us live without boundaries. On the other hand, if we will let Him, He will heal us even though we have crossed those boundaries.

Almighty and Loving God, You have ordered this world for my good and for the good of all Your creatures. When I refuse to listen to You, I soon run into trouble. Help me, O God, to open my eyes to truly see Your goodness. In Jesus’ name, amen.