By: Betty Predmore
Several months ago, my family and I were perusing the shops in a local vacation spot and I came across the most beautiful rustic farm table. I fell in love with the table, but not the price. As I pointed out my beautiful find to my husband, he assured me that he could build one for me, even nicer than the one I was coveting at that moment.
My wonderful hubby made good on his promise. Hours turned into days, and days into weeks as he spent every spare minute crafting that table for me. Countless times he asked me to inspect this or decide on that. The amount of effort he put into making me the “table of my dreams” was a true labor of love. Because of the energy he put into that, I now have a visual reminder of my husband’s love for me that will last far beyond my time on this earth, and will be handed down through the many generations that will gather around it in the spirit of love, family, and fellowship.
When I think about the love and care that was put into making that table, it reminds me of the love and care that comes down from Heaven for us all. God loved us so much that He sent His son to die for us. For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. John 3:16. What an incredible labor of love! Jesus loved us so much that he took the pain and shame of the cross for us, so that we could have the opportunity to be free from our sins. “He himself bore our sins” in his body on the cross, so that we might die to sins and live for righteousness; “by his wounds you have been healed.” 1 Peter 2:24 What an awesome labor of love!
That table is my husband’s handiwork, his beautiful creation built to fulfill a specific need. We are God’s handiwork, His beautiful creation, created for a specific purpose. For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them. Ephesians 2:10. We are created to do good for others. We are created to share His love.
Daily our God is working in our lives. Daily He is making a way for us. Daily He provides us opportunities to serve Him, and to demonstrate His love to others. Daily He offers us forgiveness. Daily He desires for us to draw closer to Him. Daily He loves us. And just like my husband was willing to work hour upon hour, day after day, out of love for me, to give me something my heart desired, God is there hour upon hour, day after day, out of love for us, to give us our heart’s desires. His great labor of love is for all who are willing to trust and surrender to Him. Such love as His…there is none greater.
