Week 5: Following and Loving

Andres Ramirez
Feb 22, 2019
3 min read

When I made up my mind and my heart along with that to live not for myself, but yet for God, somebody said, "Do you know what you are getting yourself into?" Relient K - "Getting Into You"

When Jesus was baptized and the dove from heaven came to rest on him, I am sure that was the moment when the witnesses realized "This is the guy (or Messiah) we've been looking for." For me, the baptism was not only the start of Jesus' ministry, but it was also the beginning of the end for him. Next thing you know, the next story is the temptation of Jesus. Funny fact about this story (and we tend to forget) is the Spirit (or the dove) led Jesus to the wilderness to be tempted. Next thing you know, here comes the Pharisees and the Jewish leaders, who tried to challenge Jesus, planning to kill him. Then, here's Judas, betraying Jesus. Then, Jesus' trial, where the crowd commanded Pilot to crucify Jesus. Then, the crucifixion, and then Jesus died. Now, we all know Jesus resurrected on the third day; we all know this story. However, through all of that, Jesus still chose to love and follow God. Not only that, but he still loved others, even until death.

Loving people is extremely challenging; I can tell you firsthand. This means loving a girl who doesn't love you back, that group member who only shows up on the day of presentation, or a family member who drives you insane. Not to mention, if you love God, you are to love others, since God loves them, too. Speaking of God, loving Him is challenging, too. I don't mean that in a way that would make you question my faith. But hear me out: do you still love God, even if you don't think He's there when you're in trouble? I'm pretty sure this question is hard to answer, or you're having trouble saying "yes." Love is a confusing topic.

I went to Laguna Beach on February 16 by myself. At first, I felt upset because I made a story on Instagram, inviting people to join me. In the end, nobody responded. I was upset with people, so the haikus depict the failing to love others, though you were called to love. Next, I sat right at the shoreline and ponder about God's love, expressed through nature. If you've seen my photos of the beach on my Nature portfolio, you'll see that this place is beautiful. Only a loving, creative deity can create such a thing. I then began to ponder about God's love in my life. Even through tough circumstances, He still gets to me. Nature is one of the many ways He can do that. While these poems (and pictures) depict the struggle to love, it also express the way God can get to you (or at least me).