Love Always Stoops

We heard a sermon today with the most impactful quote I have heard in quite some time:  "Love always stoops."

The quote comes from Jesus, My Father, the CIA, and Me: A Memoir...Of Sorts by Ian Morgan Cron.

(Disclaimer:  I have not read the book and only heard the telling of one section of the book once.  I hope I'm doing it justice.)

The short version of the story is a friend's reaction to Ian telling his experience of hearing God (audibly) speak to him. He had a lot of mixed feelings about what this experience meant, but he said the most clear explanation of the experience was from this friend.  He felt unworthy, as a lowly human, to have heard God's voice and especially the message he received.  His friend said that it did not surprise her that God had spoken to him in this way.  She said, "Love always stoops"; just like when God lowered himself to become a human himself when he sent Jesus as a baby and when God lowered himself to death when he was crucified.  Both of these things he did for us, lowly humans.

I absolutely love how "love always stoops" can apply in so many circumstances...

Parenting
Love always stoops to come to your child's level, to hear their voice, to see their expression, to give them a hug.

Marriage
Love always stoops to serve our spouse.  Whether it's literally stooping to pick their laundry up off the floor, stooping in ego or pride in an argument, or stooping to join them in something they enjoy even if you do not.

Disgruntled Coworkers or Customers
Love always stoops to show them that you respect them as a human being, that you are not looking for the upper hand or the opportunity to diminish them so you can feel superior.

The Person filled with Shame
Love always stoops to meet their eyes to show them they are still a person worthy of relationship.

The Mourner
Love always stoops by lending an ear when others think the mourning is "over".

And, I'm sure the applications go on and on.

I am grateful for this reminder and application today.