The Dark Love of God

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Is God’s love ever dark?

Is it ever slightly bitter?

Maybe.

Maybe you think I’m beginning to wander down heretical or pagan roads. I assure you I am not.

Ever have one of those days where you just need a little glimpse of God’s love? Not the writing-on-the-wall, epiphany, burning bush kind of sign, but your heart just says, “God, I just need something little to remind me of you love”?

Maybe it hasn’t even coalesced into that specific of a prayer, but it’s going on in your heart anyway.

I experienced the Dark Love of God the other day in a way that caused me to glory in Him in my heart in a way I was not totally anticipating.

Now when I say the Dark Love of God, perhaps your mind goes to scenes from Mel Gibson’s “The Passion of the Christ”. The dark days of the cross: when God’s love toward rebellious humanity was put on full display in the humiliating, torturous, violent death of Jesus. The dark oppression of our sins on the sinless One? Or perhaps the bitter gall at the cross? No.

I have come to greatly respect the teachings and writings of John Piper, who in his book, Desiring God--Meditations of a Christian Hedonist, writes: “God is most glorified in us when we are most satisfied in Him.” (pg. 50)

I don’t know that I’d go so far as to say “most glorified”… but I do think that God receives glory when we enjoy His good gifts in a way that acknowledges that those gifts have come from His hand; gifts that express His love towards all of humanity just because of His nature.

The Dark Love of God I experienced was a simple, yet delightful Café Americano.

Those who know me well know I enjoy a good cup of coffee – I grind my own beans, tamp them, and am in what seems to be a never-ending quest to produce the finest cappuccino or Americano I can from home.

I enjoy coffee. Thoroughly.

I frequent our local Starbucks every so often and am usually pleased with the java I receive.

But Monday, as I pulled out of the drive through and took my first sip I was immediately drawn to worship God.

Over coffee?

Yes.

Here it was – the unmerited love of God in a paper cup. The same love that causes God to send rain on the fields of both the righteous and the unrighteous. (Matt. 5:44-46)
For certain it was not the caffeine, as it hadn't even had a chance to affect my system yet.

I was glad I had tipped my barista well, but took infinitely more delight in the God Who has not only has rescued me from my sin, but Who also delights to give His children good gifts when they least expect it.

My heart was drawn to praise and thanks for this minute gesture from the transcendent God. By His Word He is sustaining the entire universe – yet at that moment, because of His mercy, grace and Father-heart I knew His intimate love; His agape-love in a way I could best experience it. A way that reminded me that He was speaking to me specifically; that He knows me to the core.

I certainly didn’t pull up to the window with the expectation that I would experience the love of God.

But there it was - in all its surprising, murky, robust glory – the Dark Love of God.