To love or be loved? That is the question.
So often on the World Race, I have shared with others that my life’s purpose is summed up in four words: Love God, Love Others. And while it IS fulfilling to live life in such a way, I have been realizing that I really can’t do that on my own. It just doesn’t work.
I John 4:10-11 reminds me, “This is love: not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent His Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins. Dear friends, since God so loved us, we also ought to love one another.”
He loved first. He loves now. And He will love forever, because that is the essence of His very nature. God IS love.
In the midst of the daily grind of life, I try to justify my actions as those borne out of love… “I’m serving this person because I want to show them how much I love them,” or “I will stay up late talking with my teammate, because it shows that I love them enough to sacrifice this time for them.” While my motives might seem true enough, I admit that my love is finite and limited. I cannot love endlessly, and I certainly cannot love unconditionally at all times. My love is imperfect when I try to love out of myself.
Likewise, when it comes to loving God, I know I am still in the process of learning to love Him with ALL of my heart, with ALL of my mind, with ALL of my soul, and with ALL of my strength.
Indeed, I am faced with a big conundrum. How do I completely love one who, by definition, IS love? And, how can I learn to love others with that same unconditional love?
Easy. Be loved by Him.
What?
You heard me. Be loved by Him. Let God love you. Let God show you HOW MUCH He loves you.
When we open ourselves up to be loved BY God, He fills us up with His perfect love. He loves us despite everything we have or have not done in life. He loves us despite our imperfections. He loves us because He loves us, because that is His nature.
And in receiving His love, He gives us the love with which we can love Him in return. Even better, as we love Him, He continues to pour more of His love into our hearts so that we can then pour that love into others.
I pray that you would rest confidently in God’s love today. Know that you are loved by an everlasting love. You are loved unconditionally. Nothing you can do today, nothing you have done in the past, nor anything you can ever do in the future, will be able to separate you from God’s love.
Soak in God’s love. Love Him with the love He loves into you. And as He gives you the biggest bear hug ever, I pray He will squeeze the love He has poured into you on everyone else around you. Today, may you know God’s love.
Receiving a hug from one of the sweetest girls at a Children's Home in the Carpathian Mountains, Ukraine.
