Genuine Love ~

I’ve been taking a break from sewing and computerland for a few days; feels good!  Sooooo happy for a three-day weekend, I am!  So… taking a gander at some of my photographs, I thought I would show you this little canvas…

A few months ago, we studied the Book of Romans, and it was a wonderful study.  In that study, we learned we get our English word “sincere” from the Greek word  “sinceros” ~ which means “without wax.” Interesting.

Huh?  Wait! How do we get from sincere to ‘without wax?’

Studying  further, we learned when potters made their pots, sometimes they cracked during the firing or curing process.  To cover up the crack, the potter would add dye to a wax that matched the pot’s color, and then sell the flawed pot to an unsuspecting buyer.  When the cracked pot was used over the fire, the wax melted, the pot would leak, and of course, it was worthless.  That is why, in the letters to the Romans, Paul is instructing those new Christians – “be sure that your love is sincere… genuine… unobstructed… pure and whole!”

In other words – let your love be ‘without wax.’  This was terminology the people of that time knew well, and a great visual for them in understanding what Paul meant. 

The particular verse in Romans Ch. 12:8 says  “let love be sincere” or “let love be genuine.”   No cracks ~ no dyes ~ no false love!  Hmmm. 

 It is with this verse in mind, that I created this mixed media canvas to reflect my artistic interpretation of that verse.

 I understand better. {still learning!}  And this verse has fresh, new meaning as it comes alive to me knowing more about how it was spoken.  And… to live it out.

Ahhh ~ Genuine Love.  

The kind that is rock solid. Vibrant, and joyful.  A love worth giving.  No cracks.

The kind that is based upon the rock that is our archedos – greek for “anchor”  {another word I learned in Hebrews} and for Jesus.

I used crackle effect paint on this piece, not simply just for artsy texture, but for added meaning in the significance of this verse.

So… what does genuine love look like?  It looks like this to me, at least in part.

In the middle of the night… when the couple across the street are in a hateful argument that keeps me from sleeping, I get to pray for them… in love.  Not because I want to sleep {which of course I do} but because this is an example of the love Jesus showed us.

What about the guy speeding through the school zone ahead of me, cutting off traffic… he {or she} needs our prayers, not my arrogant, hurtling thoughts & insults, or how about this one:  “where is a cop when you need one?”  Been there.  Done that.  Yes I have.

We need the love of Jesus when we are at our worst, not at our best.  His love isn’t for just the ‘feel good’ times ~ it’s rock-solid ~ for ALL TIMES and ALL people in our life.  In the middle of the night… or busy, rushed mornings, to the high noon of the day.  

If there are people falling through the cracks of my love… then what {and who’s} love am I relying on?  The answer: My own.  Ahhhh… cracks abound. I’m barely good enough on my best day… but Christ is solid, rock-steady, and overflowing, every day, all day, 24/7. 

This study revealed to me that our human love can be just like that cracked pot.  “putting on a happy face” or being in a “good mood” doesn’t really cut the mustard.  It’s not authentic, or true…  it’s superficial and false-looking; it may look good on the outside, but it won’t hold water and it can’t take the heat on the toughest days… but Christ’s love… never fails!

Be genuine!  Let’s not let our love look like a cheap, cracked pot. 

I looking forward to the encouragement {and love} I see on the In the Studio link up with Jennifer today on STUDIO JRU.  It’s a loving, and encouraging group.  Won’t you consider it?  Come on ~ jump in and link up!  You will be so welcome.  

Soli Deo Gloria! 
XO
Leslie