The amazing grace of the Master, Jesus Christ, the extravagant love of God, the intimate friendship of the Holy Spirit, be with all of you. —2 CORINTHIANS 13:4 [MSG]

July marked the 20th anniversary of Forrest Gump. Forrest, played by Tom Hanks, is a simple man who manages to undermine the systems and powers of the world with his innocent naivete and pithy wisdom. I’m sure employees at See’s candy still tire of the phrase: “Life is like a box of chocolates…” I don’t know how many times, after making a regrettable mistake, I have invoked the line: “stupid is as stupid does.”

But, foremost among the lines that Forrest employs is this one:
“I’m not a smart man, but I know what love is.”

Paul, writing to the church in Corinth concludes his second letter with a closing benediction (as he does in many of his writings). In this case, he highlights “the extravagant love of God.” So, no matter the questions, wonderings, or trembling that accompany regular people, like us, on our journey of faith, perhaps it is best to remember that the one thing we will never fully understand is the one thing we all know… Love.

See you Sunday,
Jeff