Love

Anyone who does not love does not know God, because God is love. In this the love of God was made manifest among us, that God sent his only Son into the world, so that we might live through him. In this is love, not that we have loved God but that he loved us and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins.

1 John 4:8-10

Yes, he loved his people, all his holy ones were in his hand...

Deuteronomy 33:3

Yes, Jesus loves me. Yes, Jesus loves me. Yes, Jesus loves me, for the Bible tells me so.

In fact, the Bible tells me that God has loved me with an everlasting love, a sacrificial love, an intense and pursuing love, an unfailing love, an undeserved love, a saving love.

The Bible also tells me that God is love. It is His very nature. His essence. What makes him God. So absent of love, it must not be God. Conversely, if there is love, it has come directly from God.

What does that mean for us? How does this undeniable, intricately embedded attribute play out for you and me?

Well, it means that God can only act in love. He can only act in love toward us. So that car accident you were in? Love. That relationship that ended? Love. That job you lost? Love. That mom that died? Love. That persecution that has millions imprisoned and oppressed around the world? Love. 

Love is giving the best to the other, even and often at your own expense. Well what is best for us? God. For his words are our very life. In his presence is fullness of joy. We experience and come to know God more deeply through difficulty and distress. In sorrow, we find He is our comfort. In want, we find He is our provider. In war, we find He is our banner, shield and refuge.

I am coming to understand that everything God gives and allows is done because He loves us. Not He loves us in spite of that. Or He loves us even though this. No. He did it because He loves us.

So it is my job, and proper response, to look at my circumstances through that lens. How is God showing His love here? How can this situation bring me closer to Him? How does my weakness here cause me to pursue the Source of all strength?

No. Everything is not good. But God does work all things for the good of those that love Him and are called according to His purpose.

How different would life be if we trusted that God really loved us?

I'm not exactly sure, but I'm aiming to find out.