A Well-loved Life

God has had me meditate on love a LOT over the last six months. Specifically, He has had me ponder the verses in 1 Cor. 13 in which He tells us how to love. This shouldn't surprise me because for many years I have told some of my closest friends that I have received more love in my life than most people ever do and I believe it’s true. I am not certain why God has poured out His grace on me in this way, but I can remember even as a very young child people showing kindness and gentleness and generosity to me. People have always had a need to take care of me, even when I became an adult. They often treat me with kid gloves as if I am a fragile, delicate figurine and even strangers come up and hug me.

Please don’t misunderstand. None of this makes me prideful; in fact, it humbles me. I have done nothing to deserve all this love, but it is such an overwhelming display of the grace of God who loves us without measure and without making demands on us and who expects us to love people the same way. Years ago I was awestruck when I discovered Jesus’ words in John 13:35:  “By this everyone will know that you are My disciples, if you love one another.”  Jesus could have said they'll know you’re My disciples by your martyrdom; by your piety; by your obedience; by your faith. But instead He chose to emphasize love. Why? Because love puts the focus where it belongs…on Him. He loved us while we were still sinners (Rom. 5:8) and loved us so much He sent His only Son to die for us (John 3:16).

God tells us frequently of His love for us. It is the overriding theme of scripture. God did not and does not do anything out of obligation, rather all of His decisions and actions are motivated by love.  When we truly understand this and experience God’s great redeeming love for us, we can’t help but overflow and pour that love on others. Our daily prayer should probably include this idea: “Father, today fill my heart so full of Your love that I cannot keep it to myself. Make me a willing vessel to share Your great love with everyone I encounter this day. Thank You for Your infinite, inexhaustible love.”