Love God, Love People

Today’s Just A Thought Comes From Ephesians 3:16-19

Unconditional love. This we have from our Lord, but what is it? What does it mean?

The unconditional part is easy — it means no strings attached. You receive God’s love without needing to earn it or perform for it. There are no conditions by which you can do to receive God’s love. It is there for the taking.

Not to minimize this, but as analogy only a person could say just, “OK, I will take it. Thanks, God.” Almost as if it was were a gift that had no depth of meaning.It is not until we begin to understand the things we do in life, need in life, cause to interact in life, to enjoy life, that we are all fueled by our deeper need to feel loved.

Then one needs to ask, “Is this love that I can have?” As if to start studying the gift you received and contemplating the value.

You begin to think about what love means to you.

Love means:

To be cared for

To be protected

To be provided for

To be comforted

To feel accepted

To feel affirmed

To be listened to

To be accepted as I am, and not judged

To be forgiven

To be in a relationship

To be trusted

To be willing to share

To be encouraged

Then you automatically started evaluating the giver of this gift. Is it possible to receive all these things? Can this person actually deliver on this promise? You study the character of the giver, the track record of the promises delivered, the capabilities, the influence, the power, the strength.

As you begin to receive the answers to these and more questions, you start to feel an overwhelming sense of peace and joy.

“What if it was really true?” you ask. “Oh, what a wonderful feeling! I never knew I was searching for this my whole life! I can finally rest! I feel safe and comforted!”

Then, when you least expect it, you feel free.

Free from all the clamoring in your mind that has told you that you had to perform to receive love, that you were not worthy, that love has strings attached and they can be pulled away at any time.

You are free, and the world begins to look differently. You find you have the capacity to think of other people. Your heart gets bigger. Things like forgiveness, hope, joy and compassion start to creep in. Your energy picks up, your fear is gone, the world looks exciting. Colors are more vibrant, sounds more distinct, smells more refreshing.

At last, a smile that can’t be erased comes over you.

You go out into the world, and people have to stop you and ask, “Why the smile?” You are now ready to share the story of God’s love with them. God’s plan is now at work.

Love God, Love People!

Ephesians 3:16-19

I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his spirit in your inner being, (17) so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, (18) may have power, together with all the Lord’s holy people, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, (19) and to know this love that surpasses knowledge — that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.

Just a thought …

#justathought