I hate love stories, they always make cry, I’ve never even read a love novel. My favourite stories are love tragedies. Samson and Delilah, Romeo and Juliet, West Side Story, The Titanic. The 2003 classic Love Actually has to be one of my all-time favourite love movies though. In particular, the scene where Andrew Lincoln stands outside of Keira Knightley’s door as he boldly declares his love for her all the while her new husband is inside watching T.V always makes me cry. Oh, what could have been? I feel for the guy. Completely in love with a woman he can never have. How long has he been thinking about her, imagining what life what have been like had he met her first? Then, finally, he spills his feelings in a romantic gesture to only walk away from it all, leaving us all wondering if there was a next? What I love about the scene is that he was, at least eventually, so forward with his feelings, yet it didn’t end up the way he’d hope despite his years of dreaming.
Presenting the unfortunate drama of love and life.
Personally, love has taken its toll. There’s always a cost with love, a risk that we’re usually blind to because we so desperately want to believe that a knight in shining armour will rescue us from our towers. Thanks, Dinsey. For a lot of people, we swipe right, meet, fall in love and get married. We spend thousands and thousands of dollars on a day where despite the vows, despite the promises made, despite the people cheering and wishing you well, nothing is assured. Meet reality.
Love is real, but Disney is a myth. Love is as whimsical and as magical as it is practical and painful. Love can happen in an instant, or it develops over time and can be gone the next day again. Love can make you giddy, content, or crazy. People have fought wars over love and swam across oceans, others have simply knocked on the door while being invited in for some ice tea, or they walk away knowing that may never get the one they want. Love binds and breaks, it enlightens and makes us stupid. It cannot be controlled, simply guided. For the Christian love is governed by the Bible, for others, it’s guided by whatever it is their worldview presupposes. However, even for the Christian, as much as we want to believe it, the Bible isn’t a sure way to cover us from the chaotic nature that is love. Love is patient, love is kind and Christian marriage should endure. Life though throws us a curveball, and when love comes crashing down around you in all of its forms, we must beg the questions what now?
Many of you know my story, many of you may not. This isn’t a sceptical reaction to love. I love, love. I thrive on it, and I think you do too. If I can offer any wisdom or advice on the topic of love, it is this:
- Love is a chaotic force that can bring a lot of peace and order to your life. It is not to be taken lightly, yet there is something about it that’s magical.
- How love works depends on your choices, yet it can’t be controlled.
- Let love take you places, yet be wise in your dealings with it.
- Never, ever give up on it, despite its fickle nature, it doesn’t give up on you.
Scribbling Theology: 