Love

Every so often, the lyrics of a song really hit me and stop me for a moment to really let them turn over in my mind.

I have been hearing a song by JJ Heller lately titled "Love Me."  I have linked in the lyrics so that you can read them--but I also urge you to listen to the song.

The song presents three very different people struggling to find, accept, and receive love--unconditional love. The chorus is as follows:

Who will love me for me?
Not for what I have done or what I will become
Who will love me for me?
'Cause nobody has shown me what love, what love really means

The three people described in the song are a boy, who though it is not specifically stated I imagine is the victim of some kind of abuse; a woman whose husband has left her and her struggle to deal with her loss; and a death row murderer facing execution.  And they share this same cry--a cry to be loved unconditionally.

It is a hard love to find and a love we only experience from a very select few. The world tries to mimic this love, but the world only provides a transitory, "what have you done for me lately" kind of love. We see it demonstrated by corporations, sports teams, fans, and many others. It is not love--it is brief admiration masquerading as love.

The song ends with the bridge and the final chorus as follows:

Then he heard a voice somewhere deep inside
And it said
"I know you've murdered and I know you've lied
I have watched you suffer all of your life
And now that you'll listen, I'll tell you that I..."

I will love you for you
Not for what you have done or what you will become
I will love you for you
I will give you the love
The love that you never knew

God's promises!

Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.
Matthew 11:28-29