Remaining in God’s Love

Jan and I have been married now for almost 9 years. We love each other. It wasn’t a fairy-tale wedding nor is it a fairy-tale marriage. We have some really rough times en route to the happy times we enjoy. True happiness doesn’t come easy. It has to be fought for, worked towards – in marriage terms, it means being honest, humble, compassionate, forgiving, and taking responsibility. (If you’re not married, you should know that I thought I was the most patient guy in the whole world till I got married and my eyes were truly opened. But that’s a blog for another time 🙂 )

Every now and then we get irritated with each other, misunderstand one another, suspect our motives, and the reason would be is that both of us are running with our “love tanks” empty. DO we love each other? Sure. But love isn’t just about words or feelings right? Love is action. And when we get so busy with the house, kids and work, we don’t have time to act on that love toward each other, leaving our love tanks empty over a period of time. That’s when marriage, the house, and kids can seem to be a burden. It’s only when we actively express love toward one another and receive love from one another can we continue to enjoy the “bliss” of marriage that we often idealize.

The same things is true when it comes to our relationship with God. So many times, we tend to misunderstand Him, when following Christ can seem boring or such a ritual or burden. And one of the reasons this happens could be because we haven’t taken the time to receive his love. We can get so busy with life and even serving God but the whole time do it out of a “have to” mentality rather than “want to” attitude. And this can only happen from a place of knowing how much you are loved.

“As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Now remain in my love. 10 If you keep my commands, you will remain in my love, just as I have kept my Father’s commands and remain in his love. 11 I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete. 12 My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you. “ John 15:9-12

Check that out! How much has Jesus loved us? With the same kind of love the Father has loved Him. Meaning, with absolute, perfect, boundless love. Love that sees you beyond your failures, labels, inadequacies, doubts, abilities, positions, possessions – love that sees, knows and loves the real you. When was the last time you meditated on that love? And actually with a grateful heart, just allowed yourself to soak in that love like a sponge. We need it. That’s the place we belong – in His love. And when we love others with that same kind of love, we are loving Him.

Take a moment today, and soak. Let him fully immerse you in His love. The ultimate place where God has proved his love for us is when He gave his Son to die on the cross so that we can have this love and life in us. So if you ever doubt his love, jsut take a look at the cross.

Don’t doubt, don’t delay, just dunk yourself in His love.