Several years ago, I was asked to teach a few health lessons to a group of ladies participating in the Christian Women’s Job Corp. Because this is a faith-based ministry, I delighted in comparing the care of our physical bodies to the care of our spirits. We talked at great length about the love God has for us and how, because of His love, we are compelled to love Him, others, and even ourselves in return.
If you’ve ever taught any kind of class, you know it doesn’t take long to read the room. You can tell who’s listening and agreeing, who’s tired and sleepy, and who’s becoming agitated. As the lesson progressed, one lady seemed troubled. She spoke lovingly of her family, especially her children, but expressed doubt that God could ever forgive her, much less love her. It was the “love ourselves in return” part she had trouble with.
She hesitantly approached me after class and said, “After all that I’ve done, I don’t think God could ever love me.” That’s when I shot up a quick, silent prayer, “Give me the right words, Lord!” I saw the shame in her eyes and recalled how sweetly she spoke about her children. The Spirit helped me remember my own doubts about God’s love for me. Then, after a quiet moment, I asked her, “What could your children ever do that would make you stop loving them?”
All of a sudden, her once-shame-filled eyes blazed red-hot like a mama bear protecting her cubs. Her clear indignation at such a question made me want to run for the nearest low-hanging limb on the closest tree. She retorted angrily, “THERE IS NOTHING THEY COULD EVER DO THAT WOULD MAKE ME STOP LOVING THEM!” I let that hang in the air for an awkward minute. Then, calmly and softly (because that’s how I react to angry mama bears), I said, “You are God’s child, and there is NOTHING you could ever do that would make Him stop loving you. His love is the greatest love of all.”
I’m glad I shot up that quick prayer before I answered. Those were the Spirit’s words, not mine. The lady finally understood. As she began to cry, I wrapped His love around her. It was a moment we both needed.
God reassures us constantly of His love through His word, the comfort of the Holy Spirit, and the wonder of His creation. Yet even though our minds may comprehend that God loves everyone, that He sent Jesus to the cross for all the “whosoevers,” and that God’s word is for the masses, some hearts still can’t accept His love personally. We wonder, “How can God love someone like me?”
Perhaps those doubters aren’t looking for love in all the right places. It wouldn’t hurt any of us to tune in more often to God’s love station. What about those encouraging words from a friend? Could they be the result of a quick prayer for the right words to speak to YOU? That’s God loving YOU. What about the warm feeling you get when you’re fully engaged in worship? That’s God loving YOU. You know the times when things have worked out for your good in unexplainable ways? Yep. That’s God loving YOU. Even the times that correct you, stop you in your tracks, or make you wait. That’s God loving YOU. And all the thousands of ways God blesses YOU, protects YOU, comforts YOU, empowers YOU, forgives YOU, and continually transforms YOU? That’s Him loving on YOU! You are God’s child, and there is NOTHING you could ever do to make Him stop loving YOU.
Our most fundamental need for healthy bodies, spirits, minds, and emotions is love. Knowing we are loved gives us happy confidence. Once we truly believe that God loves us, we can love Him right back and joyfully fulfill the greatest commandment: “And you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.” (Mark 12:30)
“I pray that from his glorious, unlimited resources he will empower you with inner strength through his Spirit. 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. 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. 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. Now all glory to God, who is able, through his mighty power at work within us, to accomplish infinitely more than we might ask or think. Glory to him in the church and in Christ Jesus through all generations forever and ever! Amen.” (Ephesians 3:16-21 NLT)
Love is what our hearts long for. And Love (God Himself) longs for our hearts. It’s such a sweet exchange!
