The other day someone asked me, “What is the biggest thing that God has called you to?” Initially I thought “missions“! But after thinking it over, I responded, “Loving people”. That seems super vague, but it’s the most honest answer I could come up with. I’ve been called to love others in the way that Christ loves us. Whether they’re orphans in Africa or popular girls at school. It’s all the same in the eyes of our Lord and I intend to live out that calling to the fullest of my potential.
One of the greatest lessons that I’ve learned during my lifetime is that GOD LOVES ME. You might be saying, “Wait.. what? You didn’t know that? Haven’t you heard the nursery song?” As a matter of fact, yes, I’ve heard the song. But I’ve learned so much more about how beautiful, true, forgiving and everlasting His love is. So let’s just venture into His crazy awesome love.
His love is unconditional. That means that no matter what you think about yourself, he loves you. It doesn’t matter if you’ve never been shown the kind of love that you deserve. It doesn’t matter if you’ve made 1 mistake or 1,002. God thinks of you in the exact same way. As His wonderful, beautiful child.
His love isn’t materialistic. When I went to Kenya for the first time, I met so many people that were overflowing with love and joy, despite being ridden with poverty. They danced in the streets with their bare feet, singing praises about our Savior. They were unashamed because they knew that God loves them and that He continues to provide for them. Maybe we won’t always have the most updated iPhone or the biggest house in the neighborhood, but we’ll be cared for. Emotionally, spiritually and physically. We know that our God is a God that loves to bless us. So we may be living out of a backpack for a year (yikes!), but He will continue to care for us in every way that we need it.
His love is graphically beautiful. Sometimes I feel inclined to just marvel at the wonder of what truly happened on the cross. Some of us know death personally, while others have only observed grief in abstract ways. Either way, we can all related to the pain that comes along with death. But God knew this. He’s familiar with pain yet He chose to send his son to die for us. Because He loves us! I want each of you to just take a second to reflect on that. Have you ever had anyone love you that much?! Probably not! But because of His sacrifice, we can know that our Father loves us immensely more than we could ever fathom. Wow, what a beautiful image.
His love is proud to be seen with me. Okay, okay I stole this lyric from Pieces by Steffany Gretzinger (go listen to this song, though because it rocks my world). But just think about it! The Creator of the universe is proud to call us His child. Even when we feel like the biggest screw up or like the most unlovable person, He still views us as His perfect servant.
God’s love is all of these things, as well as so many others. Obviously it is way more vast than we can possibly fathom. So as we continue to learn about His love, what are we going to do? Are we going to keep it to ourselves? That seems ridiculous! When I get an awesome gift I always want people to know about it. I want people to see it. I want them to know the joy that it brings me. God gave us the ultimate gift of His love, so let’s spread it! Romans 12:10 says, “Love each other with genuine affection and take delight in honoring each other.” This is all about Him. Let’s proclaim our love through the nations with our actions and our words.
