Motifs

     I always really liked the word "motif", thus my use of it for the title of this post. It means, "a recurring subject, theme, idea, etc." It really can be anything, as long as it continues to reappear throughout the story.
     There is a hymn that I have been continually humming for quite some time now, especially the one line, "Redeeming love has been my theme, and shall be 'till I die". The hymn is entitled, "There is a fountain filled with blood" by William Cowper. "Theme" is a good word, but I almost like "motif" better, because it gives the idea of recurrence. Or maybe just because it sounds cooler. Nevertheless, this theme (motif)of redeeming love shall be the theme of every Christian until death. 
     I fully agree with the aforementioned statement, but I would also like to pose a question concerning it: Does not every Christian have their own motif that is particular to their walk with the Lord? The theme of redeeming love encompasses all Christians, but are there not individual themes that certain people relate to better than others? We are saved as a body, but we are also saved as individuals. 
     I was discussing something like this with a friend a while back, as she was telling me that God continues to show her just how much He loves her. He loves her despite her sin and failures, and He always gives her what is best for her. It was beautiful to hear her talk about it, because it was like she was starting to "get it". She was understanding a little bit of God's immense love for her, and it was exciting because she is one of those people who need to be loved and know they are loved. I would say that my friend most clearly understands the gospel through 1 John 4:10, "In this is love, not that we have loved God but that he loved us and sent His Son to be the propitiation for our sins."
     I do not necessarily see the gospel as clearly in that light. Yes, I know that God loves me more than anyone else could ever possibly love me, and that gives me great comfort. But it is not in the understanding of his love that I "get it". It is rather in the idea of freedom. Freedom from bondage to sin, from the slavery in darkness. Free to be the slave of Christ. As Tullian Tchividjian puts it, I am "free to be weak...free to lose...free to be no one...free to be ordinary...free to fail." One of my favorite verses is Galatians 5:1, which says: "For freedom Christ has set us free; stand firm therefore, and do not submit again to a yoke of slavery." 
     So, Christian, what is your motif? In what way do you discover the gospel? Figure out what your motif is, and exhaust yourself by continuing to dig deeper. Discover Christ in a more personal way, and then stretch yourself by hearing about the motifs of other believers. You won't be disappointed.