Love

Love.

Now I know what it means

to have a heart overflowing

to be so full of joy

that you want to scream it to the world,

collapsing with a raw-throat and a smile

because the joy doesn't die with your voice

It's seeing friends

who grow in faith like a lush, green vine

who cry after God with longing eyes and shivering hearts

who cling to the truth like it's their only plank in an empty sea

to see boys become men and men become servants.

But the most beautiful thing

that brings tears to my often dry eyes

is a soul so alive in God's love

that they daily delight in

pouring themselves out like a drink

a glad sacrifice

that those in the dark may see

the Father of Lights

that those sick of eating ash may find

the Bread of Life

that those whose hearts are ice may feel

the Consuming Fire.

The singer was right that all we need is love

but not the pale, flimsy, small-l love

but the vibrant, fiery big-L Love

that's more ancient than the Babylonians

and will outlast us and time.

Love.