Persevere

Hebrews 12:1-2

Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight and the sin that clings so closely, and let us run with perseverance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus the pioneer and perfecter of our faith, who for the sake of the joy that was set before him endured the cross, disregarding its shame, and has taken his seat at the right hand of the throne of God.

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I'd say anything
Almost anything
Except good bye.

"A Girl Like You" by The Smithereens

The power combo, lead and rhythm guitar, bass guitar, and drums, few did it like The Smithereens. The driving rhythms and virtuoso guitar work were great. The lyrics with the melodies truly impressed me. It was the whole package, along with some New Jersey/New York swagger that truly made the band a great power combo. Even their ballads had teeth. (That's not a very "rock and roll" word, but you know...)

"A Girl Like You" is a song about undying love. It's about a man whose love perseveres even though the world doesn't understand. Or it's a stalker's tale, I can see how the second verse can be read that way, but the first and third, well, I'm going with love that perseveres all things.

There is a glorious difference between God's love and stalking though. The man in this song expresses a sort of jealousy along with the swagger of "I don't care what they say." That's a tough line to walk. It is that he is jealous that some may think he not worthy of the object of his affection? Jealous that there might have been or might still be another in her life? This is irrelevant to the love of God. There is enough love of God to go around all of creation. This jealousy is just one of the sins God calls us to set aside.

We should never be jealous that someone else might love God. In fact we should rejoice that there is a great cloud of witnesses sharing God's love. And when we quest, when we seek God's love, it is up to us to persevere. There are many worldly barriers, but none of them are unsurmountable.

The Love of God conquers all detractions. It is because of this and for the sake of the joy that was set before him endured the cross, disregarding its shame, and has taken his seat at the right hand of the throne of God.