I have said this before, and it bears repeating: I don’t get the whole idea of loving someone or something so much that you would give your life for that person, thing, or object. Maybe there is a fundamental defect in my character. Maybe, as some have suggested, it’s because I don’t have a child of my own – apparently, parenthood triggers that response in most normal people. But even when people tell me that, I just shake my head and think, “yeah, I don’t think so.”
All of this is on my mind because, while I pride myself on liking a wide and varied array of music, I never heard Bruno Mars’ hit single, GRENADE, until a few days ago. (In reality, I'd never heard of Bruno Mars. Sorry.) While visiting a friend, the song came on and we started discussing the lyrics:
I’d catch a grenade for ya (yeah, yeah, yeah)
Throw my hand on a blade for ya (yeah, yeah, yeah)
I’d jump in front of a train for ya (yeah, yeah , yeah)
You know I'd do anything for ya (yeah, yeah, yeah)
Oh, oh
I would go through all this pain,
Take a bullet straight through my brain,
Yes, I would die for ya baby;
But you won't do the same…
When the song reached that last phrase, “but you won’t do the same”, I busted out laughing and said, “you got THAT right!” Of course, my friend just shook his head and we continued our discussion about the song and my response to it. Basically, I don’t want ANYONE to love me THAT much, ‘cause I know (deep down, in the crevices of my heart) I won’t reciprocate. And, talk about pressure! I mean, does it really take physical harm and pain in order to prove your love for someone? If so, count me out.
But then I thought – you know, that is EXACTLY what Christ did on Calvary for me. He gave up EVERYTHING, including His life, for miserable wretches like you and me who don’t even appreciate it – and, in reality, probably wouldn’t do the same. If you read (and believe) the Bible, there may come a time when you (and I) will be called upon to die for our beliefs. Can you imagine being called upon to die for the right to worship on the day that you personally believe to be the right day of worship? Don’t get it twisted: some of our Christian brothers and sisters around the world are already facing these challenges to their religious liberties and rights. There may come a day when my job and employment could be at issue because of my position as a Sabbath keeping Christian. What will I do? Will I then be able to sing Bruno Mars’ song about sacrificing it all for love - the love of Jesus Christ? I pray so, I hope so – because if anyone is worth loving in such a manner that I would be willing to lay down my life – it is definitely Jesus Christ. Just something to think about.
Be blessed.
© 2011 Kristina E. Smith
Tuesday, 1 March 2011
