Love is a force. It is why so many stories, books, and movies have centered around it through the ages. It is why it compels us to action and sacrifice when properly applied. It is also why heartbreak and sadness can be so strong when we experience loss or pain because of the ones we love. Love can be terribly beautiful, and it can be beautifully terrible. Sometimes it is both at the same time.
On January 8th, 2018 in Richland County, South Carolina, 70 year old Harold Morse and his wife Sophie were asleep in their condo when a fire broke out. In the chaos, Harold was able to make it through the smoke and flames and safely get out of the condo to the street where he could assess what was actually happening. As he gathered himself he recognized that his wife of many decades had not followed him out as he suspected. Without hesitation, at age 70, Harold Morse marched back into the blazing building to go get his bride.
Through the smoke and haze, Harold found his wife still asleep in the bed. He woke her up, helped her understand what was happening and got her on her way out the door. Sophie made it out safely to the street. This time she was the one to discover her spouse had not followed her out. Harold was overcome by the smoke and never made it out. He, quite literally, loved his bride with his last breath. Terribly beautiful. Beautifully terrible. It reminds me of another love. (Click here to read my post “I Need More Grey Hair In My Life”)
Love Stronger Than Death
The Christian Church is referred to throughout the New Testament of the Bible as “the bride of Christ.” Jesus promised that every person who puts their faith in Him and is committed to His love and leadership is part of His bride and that He will love and defend her with fierce love. While not everyone is included in that invitation at this point, everyone is invited! Because He is a gentlemen He forces no one to accept His invitation. But because He is a jealous lover He holds His arms open wide in hopes that all we accept it. This is the kind of love He desires us to exhibit for those around us. When we do, we reflect His selfless love and His genuine desire for all to be rescued from the flames.
This kind of love spreads beauty all around. On the morning after the fire in Richland County, the Morse’s neighbors reflected on how Harold and Sophie made the place they lived increasingly beautiful through their love of gardening and landscaping and how they would help refurbish residents’ gardens and sweep their porches for them. I’m not surprised. Harold Morse was known as a Christian man who loved to talk about the Scriptures and who would willingly attend all the funerals that took place in the elderly community in which they lived in order to demonstrate love and respect for his neighbors. How does your community see you? (Click here to read my post “Fall In Love With What You Have”)
What About Us
I never met Harold Morse although he lived about two hours south of me. I would have liked to. I am impacted by how he loved his bride, by the legacy of love and encouragement he left in his community, and his love for Jesus. I wonder what people will say about me when my time comes? Would I be compelled by love to pursue my bride at age 70 and run into the flames? Will my neighbors miss me because I enriched their lives and made their days more beautiful by sharing my talents and my presence with them? I pray so. How about you?
I believe the more we reflect on the love shown to us by God who sent His Son to rescue us from ourselves we will be filled more and more with the kind of love that will produce life. Harold loved his bride with his last breath. Jesus loved His bride with His last breath and by rising from the dead gave His bride the power to love in that same way so that all will know they are cherished and valued. (Click here to read my post “He’s On Every Page Of Your Story”)
God commands everyone who calls Him Lord to love each other. Rick Warren reminds us, “If love were just an emotion, then God couldn’t command it. But love is something you do. It can produce emotion, but love is an action.” Although God commands it, it is still our choice to allow God’s love to shine through us. The question is, will we? Harold did. I pray you and I will too.
From The Bible:
“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.” John 13:34-35 NLT
“We know that we have passed from death to life, because we love each other. Anyone who does not love remains in death.” 1 John 3:14 NIV
“This is how we know what love is: Jesus Christ laid down his life for us. And we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers and sisters. – 1 John 3:16 NIV