God's Love is Like...

God's Love is Like...

A Hammer

How is God's love like a hammer, a blunt instrument that pounds nails into place, flattens fingers and elicits foul language from the calmest people? Well, as a (very) amateur carpenter, (just ask Shane--my work is not often pretty, but occasionally effective) God is nothing like the hammer I wield. I have bent over and destroyed more nails than I have successfully driven. Of course, my love only slightly resembles God's love. While God's love is perfect and selfless, mine is human and often driven by selfishness and ambition.

A hammer drives in nails that hold things together. It doesn't happen all at once, but takes several strikes. (Unless you're the Karate Kid) The nail probably doesn't enjoy it (I'm not sure nails can enjoy anything, but work with me here), but the nail cannot do its purpose without the hammer. (Or a nailgun, but I don't own one of those, and that's just making things too complicated)

We, too, cannot fulfill our purpose without guidance from God. If we try to succeed on our own, our human, selfish efforts will only lead to our destruction. If, however, we succumb to God's will and God's wisdom, we will manage to live spiritual, Godly lives. It is a question of submission to God's will of the triumph of our own. As it says in James, Draw near to God, and God will draw near to you.

This doesn't mean it is easy. It takes work, patience and diligence to commit to following God's will. It can be painful as we tear away the desires of our human wills and submit to God's will. It can feel like we are being pounded upon by a hammer. But it is for our own good. It is the only way we can fulfill God's purpose for our lives. It isn't easy to follow God's will, but it is the only way to truly live a Godly life.