Cory Asbury brings real insight and understanding into the heart behind the lyrics of his fairly new and rapidly growing popular song “Reckless love of God”.
Cory’s song Reckless love is sweeping the Christian faith with widespread popularity. It seems like everywhere I turn right now, I hear this song. Early one morning a few weeks back, I woke to hear the melody in my head. This internal melody would not go away. I eventually turned the song on and listened to it several times.
Why is this song having such an affect? Is it a catchy tune or hook? It may be and the song itself is beautiful, but I would argue that there is much more behind this song than a melody or catchy phrase. This song is a heart cry of our Father in Heaven to His lost sheep.
In this particular video, Cory stops mid-song to read from his phone what seems to be his heart behind the words in the song. His well thought out phrases and words seem to go beyond the songs depth to a seemingly untouchable place in our soul. I was personally so moved by Cory’s words – their raw, frank, and simple expression of how our heavenly Father feels towards us, and just how much He loves us.
This song is based upon the following scripture:
15 Now the tax collectors and sinners were all gathering around to hear Jesus. 2 But the Pharisees and the teachers of the law muttered, “This man welcomes sinners and eats with them.” 3 Then Jesus told them this parable: 4 “Suppose one of you has a hundred sheep and loses one of them. Doesn’t he leave the ninety-nine in the open country and go after the lost sheep until he finds it? 5 And when he finds it, he joyfully puts it on his shoulders 6 and goes home. Then he calls his friends and neighbors together and says, ‘Rejoice with me; I have found my lost sheep.’ 7 I tell you that in the same way there will be more rejoicing in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who do not need to repent.
~ Luke 15:1-7
God Himself is Not Reckless
I have quoted the following words of Cory’s explanation, which can be found in this video:
“When I use the phrase “The reckless love of God” we are not saying that God Himself is reckless”. He is not crazy! We are however saying, ‘the way He loves is in many ways quite so.’ What I mean is this, He’s utterly unconcerned with the consequences of His action with regard to His own safety, comfort, and well-being. His love is not crafty or slick. It’s not cunning or shrewd. In fact, all things considered, it is quite childlike. And, might I even suggest sometimes downright ridiculous. His love bankrupted heaven for you and for me. His love doesn’t consider Himself first. He does not wonder what He will gain or lose by putting himself on the line. He simply puts himself out there on the off chance that you and I might look back and give Him that love in return. His love leaves the 99 to find the one every time. To many practical adults, that is a foolish concept. ‘Well, what if He loses the 99 to find the one?’ Right? What if? Finding that lost sheep is, and will always be, supremely important. His love is not cautious. It is love that sent His Own Son to die a gruesome death on a cross. There is no plan B with the Love of God. He gives His heart so completely, so preposterously, that if refused, we would think it irreparably broken. Yet, He gives Himself away again and again and again and again; time and time again. Make no mistake Our sins do pain His heart. And, 70 x 7 is a lot of times to get your heart broken. Yet, He opens up and allows us back in every single time. His love saw you when you hated Him and all logic said, ‘they will reject me’. He said, ‘no I don’t care what it cost Me I lay my life on the line, as long as I get their hearts.’ ~ Cory Asbury
Defining “Love”
Beautiful words to hear in a world where the word “love” has many different shades of meaning to each of us. With so many of us, the way others have used this word “love” to express their feelings towards us has over time devalued its meaning and devalued us in the process. Without God, in a world of cold hearts, love and its meaning can become stale or even empty and sometimes filled with pain. In such a world, how does one understand a love that is not tainted and void of ulterior motives? This question sheds light on why John tells us, “…let us not love in word or talk but in deed and in truth.”
I think Cory’s words shed even more light on the deeds of God and ultimately His heart. God’s efforts toward us are unquestionable in motive. He proves this purity of heart by placing supreme value on our life. He pulls this great feat off not with words but with His own suffering and death; bringing personal supreme value to our individual person/soul. This love defines Him and redefines us.
Brodon Park
Founder, Inner Cry Ministries