“See what love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God…” 1 John 3:1 NIV
I’ve recently developed a new favorite experience: listening to God tell me how much He loves someone. It’s like watching a baby light up when he sees a new toy, or a child discover a new wonder, or a young man fall in love, or a father hold his baby girl. There’s a brightening light in the eyes, a reverent hush to the voice, a happy excitement in the expression, an electric charge to the air.
And it’s contagious. Anyone present and paying attention feels at least a twinge of it, turns to see what’s so amazing, wants to stay long enough to figure out what he’s missing and how to keep it going. Watching God is like that, but times a million. It’s like watching a great show, but you’re in it, on set, with lines. Or like watching a pro-ball game, but you’re on the court in the huddle, and the ball’s coming to you. Or like being a wingman to the greatest romantic of all time.
I’m a new witness to this phenomenon, and let me tell you God loves you with every type of love possible all at once. His love runs over for you, and if He weren’t God it would outrun Him. Your circumstances, conditions, or choices don’t change it, because they can’t change Him. And He’s most excited when you’re enjoying His gifts of life to the fullest, when you’re growing and becoming more fully you, and when you can glimpse His hand in all your blessings and trust His presence in all your troubles. I know He loves you because He told me, and I can hear it in his voice. But He’d much rather tell you Himself.
Thank Him for loving you this way. Even when you aren’t aware. Ask Him to show you how He loves you. Take time to receive it, to trust it, to rest in it, and to grow in it.
God, thank you for your great love for me and for calling me your own. Let me grow to be just like you in manners, in character, in heart. Help me love myself and others just like you do. Amen.
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