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Sermon: The Strangeness of Love, Life’s Trials, and the Pursuit of Faith

Introduction: Love, in its many forms, is a mystery that continues to captivate and challenge us. The song you’ve written beautifully encapsulates the complexities of love, the struggles of life, and the deep yearning for divine guidance. It speaks to the heart of what it means to navigate this world, balancing the demands of work, faith, and love. By exploring these themes through Christian Libertarian Ideology, modern human perspectives, and the teachings of Scripture, we can find a deeper understanding of our place in God’s plan and the power of love to transform our lives.

The Strangeness of Love: A Divine Mystery The song begins with an acknowledgment of the mysterious nature of love: “Love, it comes in strangest forms, a realm of endless wonder all can adore.” Love is indeed a divine mystery, one that transcends human understanding. 1 John 4:8 tells us that “God is love,” and as such, love is not merely an emotion but a reflection of God’s very nature.

From a Christian Libertarian perspective, love is a choice—a freedom granted to us by God. We are free to love, to give of ourselves, and to form deep connections with others. This freedom, however, comes with the responsibility to love in a way that honors God and reflects His love for us. Love is not always easy; it can be strange and unexpected, but it is always a gift from God, meant to draw us closer to Him and to each other.

Falling Down and Getting Back Up: Life’s Inevitable Struggles The song continues with a reflection on the trials of life: “I have noticed in life there is plenty of falling down and plenty of getting back up.” This sentiment echoes the reality that life is full of challenges, setbacks, and moments of despair. Yet, as Proverbs 24:16 reminds us, “For though the righteous fall seven times, they rise again, but the wicked stumble when calamity strikes.”

In modern human perspectives, resilience is often celebrated as a key to success. The ability to get back up after falling is seen as a mark of strength and character. However, as Christians, we recognize that our strength comes not from within ourselves, but from God. It is His grace that lifts us up when we fall, His love that sustains us through life’s trials.

Christian Libertarian Ideology emphasizes the importance of personal responsibility and the freedom to choose how we respond to life’s challenges. While the world may try to “shove you back down,” as the song says, we have the freedom to stand firm in our faith, trusting that God is with us, helping us to rise again.

Calming the Seas: The Power of Divine Love “Your love is enough to calm the seas when storms within me rage and frighten families.” This line powerfully captures the peace that God’s love can bring to our lives. In Mark 4:39, we see Jesus calming the storm with the words, “Quiet! Be still!” Just as Jesus calmed the physical storm, His love has the power to calm the storms within our hearts.

From a modern perspective, we often seek peace through various means—therapy, meditation, or self-care. While these can be helpful, true peace comes from knowing that we are loved by God, that His love is greater than any storm we face. This divine love is what gives us the strength to endure life’s challenges and to find peace even in the midst of turmoil.

Becoming a Vessel for God: Surrendering to Divine Purpose The song’s plea, “Please make me a vessel for you, Lord,” speaks to the desire to be used by God for His purposes. Romans 12:1 urges us to “offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship.” To be a vessel for God is to surrender our will to His, allowing Him to work through us to accomplish His divine plan.

In Christian Libertarian Ideology, this surrender is seen as the ultimate exercise of our freedom. We choose to submit to God’s will, not out of compulsion, but out of love and trust in His goodness. This choice allows us to live in alignment with God’s purpose, to be instruments of His love and grace in the world.

The Rot of the Flesh: The Struggle Against Sin “It is sick how the flesh can rot a man straight through his core.” This line captures the reality of sin and its destructive power. Galatians 5:17 warns us, “For the flesh desires what is contrary to the Spirit, and the Spirit what is contrary to the flesh. They are in conflict with each other.” The struggle against the flesh is a constant battle, one that requires us to rely on God’s strength and grace.

Modern human perspectives often emphasize self-improvement and personal development as ways to overcome our flaws. However, as Christians, we recognize that true transformation comes only through the work of the Holy Spirit. It is by surrendering to God and allowing His Spirit to work in us that we can overcome the rot of the flesh and become vessels of His love and grace.

The Need for More Time: Balancing Life’s Demands The song ends with a reflection on the need for more time—time for fun, for work, for faith, and for love. This echoes the universal human experience of feeling overwhelmed by the demands of life. Ecclesiastes 3:1 reminds us, “There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under the heavens.”

Balancing the demands of life is a challenge, but it is one that we can navigate with God’s help. Christian Libertarian Ideology emphasizes the importance of using our time wisely, making choices that reflect our values and priorities. While the world may push us to do more, to achieve more, and to accumulate more, we are called to focus on what truly matters—our relationship with God, our faith, and our love for others.

Conclusion: “Love, it comes in strangest forms”—and yet, it is through love that we find our true purpose and meaning in life. The song you’ve written beautifully captures the complexities of love, the struggles we face, and the deep longing for divine guidance. As we reflect on these themes through the lens of Christian Libertarian Ideology, modern human perspectives, and Scripture, we are reminded of the importance of choosing love, standing firm in our faith, and trusting in God’s unshakable foundation.

Let us take these lessons to heart, seeking to be vessels of God’s love, finding peace in His presence, and balancing the demands of life with wisdom and grace. In doing so, we can navigate the challenges of this world, rise again after every fall, and ultimately find our place in God’s eternal plan.

Love, it comes in strangest forms

A realm of endless wonder all can adore

And with you love my heart is whole

My world makes sense and all I want is much more

                 I have noticed in life there is plenty of falling down

And plenty of getting back up 

Knowing the world is waiting to shove you back down

On the ground again

Your love is enough to calm the seas

When storms within me rage and frighten families

Please make me a vessel for you lord

It is sick how the flesh can rot a man straight through his core

But I have noticed in life we constantly try to catch up

But the work is never done

We want more time for fun

We need more time to work on our faith

We need more time for love

As Always, God Bless,

James Arthur Ferguson