Ever Been Really Loved By Someone?
Ever Really Loved Someone?
What a gift!
When I dated a young lady in high school – both of us were juniors, I thought I was in love. I thought she loved me too. Didn’t work out. Shocked? Oh, I liked her and enjoyed being with her, I didn’t really know how to have a friendship much less a committed lasting relationship based on meeting her needs above my own. I had a ton of growing up to do. But it felt like love to me – it felt new, fresh, exciting, and “lasting” — at first. After all, why should these feelings change? Change they did in several months time. She moved on to a drummer in the band, and I couldn’t compete with my ’66 Chevy Impala and no notoriety except that I was a nerd – studied hard, made good grades, etc. Oh, yeah, did I say also that I was a jerk.
And, probably as you did, I had many acquaintances in high school and college, but not until I met Carol (now my wife of 49 years) did I take the time to figure out if I truly loved her and if she loved me. That was different approach and a bit scary. We -from the deepest part of our hearts at the time – did love each other. But, those who know our story may remember that we had to come to grips with a whole new kind of love that God offered. We were discovering how to receive God’s love then give it away without strings attached. God’s grace came to us, rescued our friendship, and continues to move us to an abundant relation we didn’t know was possible on our wedding day back in 1972. Wow, that sounds like a long time ago, doesn’t it?
God’s true love is what I want to explore with you this week. Human love- given and received- is so wonderful, isn’t it? I wish for you both love and commitment, but you know that the feelings attached to human-level love are changeable at best; disposable at worst. That’s the way it is, but it just needs to be recognized.
That is why commitment in marriage is so important to a lasting, loving relationship. Feelings can change; they can diminish; but they can return stronger and even more beautiful than before. God’s love has to capture our human love and replace it with His love that is both pure and strong. He loved us first, remember? We love because He started the process and offers the gift. Our human love is only a part of the love He offers. His love lasts. ( I Corinthians 13:1-13)
Please know that I am begging you to investigate and use all the curiosity and willingness you can muster to discover how much God loves you – unconditionally. I want you to discover how much He wants you to receive His love then learn to freely give His love away starting in your closest relationships and never stopping….all the way to those you will meet in life-family, children, co-workers, neighbors, and strangers.
How do we start / continue this amazing adventure?
How do we discover His love and continue the journey?
A. Read in God’s Word about how much He loves you whether you feel it or, yet, believe it. We have to start somewhere. Ephesians 3:16-19 – 16 I pray that from his glorious, unlimited resources he will empower you with inner strength through his Spirit. 17 Then Christ will make his home in your hearts as you trust in him. Your roots will grow down into God’s love and keep you strong. 18 And may you have the power to understand, as all God’s people should, how wide, how long, how high, and how deep his love is. 19 May you experience the love of Christ, though it is too great to understand fully. Then you will be made complete with all the fullness of life and power that comes from God.
More Verses to investigate: John 3:16; John 13:34-35; I John 4:19
B. Pray for God to reveal Himself to you and to show you how He has loved, cared, and provided for you every day of your life….even when others failed to do so and missed the opportunities to share God’s love and provision with you. Even when you gave up on them or even on yourself, He never gave up on you! Did He? After all, you made it this far, and my guess is He has bigger plans for you than you know. Give Him the trust and be patient as He changes you into the person He designed you to be. His love for you is the key.
C. Submit by faith to know and do His will starting today regarding living from the resource of His lavish love for you and determining by His direction to live a life of love and service to others. I John 3:1; Ephesians 5:1-2
D. Finally – believe that when you ask for something that IS God’s will, you will receive it. I John 5:14-15 says it best:
14 This is the confidence we have in approaching God: that if we ask anything according to his will, he hears us. 15 And if we know that he hears us—whatever we ask—we know that we have what we asked of him.
Friend, you know it is God’s will for you to receive the love He offers, love Him back, love others, and to even love yourself appropriately. Jesus made it crystal clear in Matthew 22:37-39? Pray His will for you – for His love to come, to change you and make you new, then empower you to love others. Watch Him do it in you!
You and I will invest the rest of our days in a multitude of people, interests, jobs, and ministries. None of these people, places, things or ideas are more important to God (and therefore to you and me) than developing and leaving a legacy of the love of God. He will “shed (his love) abroad in our hearts by the Holy Spirit”, others will see our “good deeds” and “glorify (have faith to believe then show it in the way we love) our heavenly Father”. Jesus said so. Matthew 22:37-39; Matthew 5:14-16; Galatians 5:6b
I know this 52 Week Plan is scripture-heavy, but my words alone will not convince you. The Father will draw you; Holy Spirit will guide you to truth; Jesus will deliver on the promises He made! Count on Him. We have no other legitimate place to turn. Do we? Grow in love and watch God change your world from the inside of you to the inside of others. I guarantee it will happen. I did not say say life will be easy and fun always, but in the process of occasionally going through some hard things, at least they will be worth it. Love will grow and produce eternal fruit and reward for you and others and be a blessing to the heart of God, our Father.