My name is Mary and I am….
a student…
a friend…
a teacher…
a manager…
a squadmate…
How do you respond when you are asked to introduce yourself? How do you describe to others who you are?
These answers, though they seem so brainless when we answer, give insight as to how we outwardly define our identity. It’s interesting that most of the time we define ourselves in terms of our relationships- with family, co-workers, friends, etc. However, it’s not all that surprising that we understand ourselves in terms of our relationships because we are created in the image of a God who defines himself with a relational word: love.
Before I left Omaha, my church was in a series called “lovesick” and it dwelt on our relational needs as humans created in the image of God. To be lovesick is to have a longing to be in close and intimate relationship with others. Have you ever considered life from God’s perspective? How could God- love- exist without anyone else to love? There wouldn’t be any relationship! In a crazy way we make God complete. Without his children- there is no point to his existence. Out of everything in the universe- he chose to create us. THE CREATOR OF THE UNIVERSE CHOSE YOU TO MAKE HIMSELF COMPLETE. YOU GIVE GOD PURPOSE.
When we break down love in this way- it’s not crazy to desire love and relationship. We were created for something greater than ourselves and we have a longing to be known and appreciated for who we are.
Have you ever felt alone? Have you ever wanted someone to just understand you? Does joy fill your heart when you are with those people with whom you can just be yourself? To be loved and not known is superficial. To be known and not loved is our greatest fear. But to be fully known and loved is something that looks a lot like God.
God is the only one able to fulfill our deepest “lovesickness.” No one can truly know us to the extent that God does- for it is said that he has the hairs numbered on each of our heads (Luke 12:7). He can deeply feel and understand the pain, the joys, or the longings we are going through because through the Holy Spirit he dwells in us (2 Timothy 1:14). He is ALWAYS faithful and will never leave (Hebrews 13:5). He is big enough, compassionate enough, and plentiful enough to look down on each of us and smile every second of every day.
And that is the type of purpose we are given toward each other. If we are to be like christ- we should extend that same attitude of getting to know others deeply and appreciating them for who they are. Although we fail many times- this is how we find true beauty in our hearts. However- how can we extend this love to others if we are broken ourselves?
No, I don’t think its selfish to crave love, attention, or to be known. That is how we are designed, and that is who we are. We are children of the living God and each of us are fully and completely understood, chosen, and loved. Until we get it- until we feel and understand that beautiful identity- we will never be able to extend that love to others in the radical way that we are called to. We need to live a life that is blinded by our identity- our love from Christ- in order to eradicate every sense of fear or pain. You can’t expect to pour yourself out if your cup is empty, so let God’s love flood your life and seek him first above all else. It is not selfish to prepare your heart!
