The 24/7 blog that we've called Resources is intended to be a multifaceted exploration of the Christian life. It is a place where we expand the conversation about what God is doing in our lives and in our community, and further reflect on what it looks like to live a life of full devotion to Christ, 24/7. This post is the first by former missionary and retirement home chaplain, Bryan Sweet, a longtime member of the Southridge community.

I recently read a book by Brennan Manning entitled, The Wisdom of Tenderness. Manning talks often about enjoying the deep love Jesus has for each of us. He encourages us to enjoy the freedom God’s love provides – freedom from fear of the Father and from dislike of ourselves.

The crux of the book is to be found in the question: “Do I wholeheartedly trust that God likes me?” Not loves me, but likes me! Manning proposes that rather than us loving God, it is far more important to let ourselves be loved by God.

I John 4:16 states: “We know how much God loves us, and we have put our trust in his love. God is love, and all who live in love live in God, and God lives in them.” In Manning’s opinion, the “essence of our faith lies in trusting the love of God.” If I really trust God and His love for me, I will be able to entrust myself to God’s tender care moment by moment. I can be open and transparent with Him because I sense His deep love and tenderness for me.

We can rejoice in this relationship with our Abba, our Papa. “Totally liked, thoroughly loved...a celebrant of tenderness…my very existence is an expression of praise and gratitude to God.” “Celebrant of tenderness”!  What a wonderful description of our position, as children of a loving heavenly Father!

As I enjoy God’s tender love, I am freed to love myself and to love others. Thomas Merton confirms that “without love and compassion for others, our own apparent love for Christ is a fiction!” Our compassion must be exhibited through our actions! This desire for action is underscored in James 1:22 “Don’t just listen to God’s word. You must do what it says.” (NLT)

Manning challenges us to allow our lives to be permeated with God’s love.  “So now I am giving you a new commandment: Love each other. Just as I have loved you, you should love each other. ³⁵ Your love for one another will prove to the world that you are my disciples.” (NLT) Each day brings a multitude of opportunities to enjoy God’s tender love and to share it with others. Manning states: “We mature in the wisdom of accepted tenderness to the extent that we stand up for the less fortunate; to the extent that no human flesh is a stranger to us; to the extent that we can touch the hand of another in love; to the extent that for us, there truly are no ‘others’.”

Often I learn to exhibit such love, when I have needed such love and acceptance myself.  Through physical suffering and mental anguish I can experience the suffering of others and, ultimately, experience the sufferings of Christ Himself.  Manning reminds us that “the value of Jesus’ suffering lies not in the pain itself (pain in itself has no value) but in the love that inspired it.” As I think of His sufferings I must also think of His deep, sacrificial love. I must recognize that love in all of my life’s experiences.

Only God can produce such tenderness. Only God’s forgiveness and grace can generate such a change. Manning focuses on the parables of the lost sheep, coin and son. He reminds us that the value in these stories is our realization that “being found by a searching God is more important” than anything we will ever do. God is searching me out, weaving His way into my life story in order to transform me.

Are we willing to submit to God’s tender love? Are we open to being found by this God who loves us unconditionally? Do we realize that “God showed his great love for us by sending Christ to die for us while we were still sinners”? Before we had any interest, His love was already reaching out to envelop us!

Manning suggests that as we realize the depth of God’s love and tender compassion, we should reach out “in unshaken trust, unwavering hope, and the pure giving of love, (and) hand over the kingdom of (ourselves) to the Father.” Only through this submission and trust will we truly experience the intimacy of a relationship with our Abba, Father. Only as we enjoy this love relationship can we reach out in love to others. Manning reminds us of Jesus’ great love for mankind. “Jesus’ love for the unlovely must pierce the heart of every Christian…..Our faithfulness will be measured by our willingness to go where there’s brokenness, loneliness, and human need. What are we to draw from the life of the Master? The knowledge that love and mercy are the most powerful forces on earth.”

Let’s be open to this marvelous love and be prepared to immerse ourselves in it. In this intimate relationship, we will find the joy and compassion to share God’s mercy and impact those with whom we come in contact.