Affections like Ivy

In the waiting room of a local doctor's office there is a small cabinet filled with books supplied by a local book club.  A sign encourages people to take, exchange, or donate books so others can read and enjoy them.  As I was waiting a classic book I never read caught my eye:  Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde by Robert Louis Stevenson.  I flipped to the beginning of the story and was greeted by a gem of a simile on the first page:  "His friends were those of his own blood, or those whom he had known the longest; his affections, like ivy, were the growth of time, they implied no aptness in the object." (Stevenson, Robert Louis, and Jenni Calder. The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde: and Other Stories. Penguin Books, 1979, page 29.)

Comparing the affections of Mr. Utterson to the growth of ivy provides great insight into the man.  Ivy does not discriminate:  it will climb on a brick wall, a fence, or up the trunk of great trees to soak up as much sunshine as possible.  Though the pace of growth differs on the variety, over time vines can choke out other plants.  The point the author made is the lawyer Utterson grew to appreciate the company of many sorts of people over time.  The proximity of a person and the amount of time they spent together provoked a loyalty towards them regardless if their influence was beneficial or a detriment.  His affections grew like ivy and covered their cracks.

As followers of Jesus Christ we are called to love one another.  It is not the passage of time which is to order our affections but the love of God freely given to us by grace.  1 Peter 4:8 exhorts believers, "And above all things have fervent love for one another, for "love will cover a multitude of sins."  If we say we love God, we ought to love one another.  At the same time we must take to heart 1 Corinthians 15:33 that warns, "Do not be deceived: "Evil company corrupts good habits."  There may be people we have known all our lives or are family relations who have no desire to please God.  Even as Utterson's affections did not depend on the "aptness in the object," we are to love those who seem unworthy.  Jesus taught in Matthew 5:43-45, "You have heard that it was said, 'You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.' ⁴⁴ But I say to you, love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you, ⁴⁵ that you may be sons of your Father in heaven; for He makes His sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust."

Over time may our godly affections grow beyond human desire or longing that is often plagued with selfishness and insecurity.  The love God calls us to walk in and express is transcends natural affections of a mother for her child or a husband for his spouse:  it is selfless, giving, and sacrificial.  God's love is far more durable and resilient than the heartiest ivy, springing back to life when hacked away even by violent hatred.  Jesus prayed with nails in hands and feet, "Father forgive them, for they know not what they do."  The life of Jesus Christ provides the foundation and structure of what love looks like, and the fruit of the Spirit is love.  May we be fruitful to keep loving like Him!