LOVE

We often wonder, 'What is love? What does true love look like? How will I know when true love comes?, etc.' But Jesus didn't come to see who would love him first and then decide to die for them. The decision was already made that he would give his life for all people and love them first. Not only would he love them, but he would love them deeply and unconditionally.

Love, I feel she is tarnished by the meaning the world gives her. Love in the world is an "I'll love you because I get this from you or you do this for me." Love in Jesus' terms was, "I'll love you no matter how ugly, no matter how annoying, no matter how evil and wicked you are. I will love you before you ever do one thing for me." Love is patient and tenderly kind. She is not envious, angry, jealous, or conceited. She does not brag, she does not act unbecomingly, she does not seek her own. She ignores the wrongs done against her. She does not rejoice in unrighteousness, but steadfastly rejoices with her beloved companion, Truth. True Love, well she will never fail you or anyone else. She will bear all things, believe all things, hope all things, and endure all things. Does True Love abide in you?

Do you ever feel you are trying so hard to please God yet every day you make the wrong decision, say the wrong thing, or don't do the thing you said you would? Recently I was talking with a dear friend and just pouring out how I've really been feeling lately.

"I'm just exhausted," I said. "Every morning I wake up and my whole body feels heavy and I dread facing the day. I have no motivation and I feel as if I'm just going through the motions. I don't understand what's wrong with me!"

"Becky," he said. "Know that Jesus loves you just as much even when you do nothing. His love is unconditional. You can't earn it. It can only be accepted."

I don't know how to explain the peace I felt after that conversation. All week I've been walking around once again amazed that Jesus loves me. Jesus love ME. And something is different inside of me--my soul has ceased striving. I'm not trying so hard--I'm just being.
There is simplicity and beauty in 'just being.' Life becomes lived more vividly and one is able to see people's hearts more clearly when she herself slows down. In the deep theology of JESUS LOVES YOU AND ME we can stop trying to earn God's love and start trying to give unconditional love ourselves. We can give a love that expects nothing in return. A love that makes herself vulnerable and gives until she hurts. See this, when we accept Jesus' love towards us and believe it we can then give the same to others.

May you bask in Jesus' love today and let it transform you wholly in and out.