I love my husband. But I can take him for granted at times. Even though I see him every morning and every evening, sometimes we don't make enough real time for each other. We become like room mates passing in the hall.
But then we schedule a "date night." We get a sitter, and I get "gussied up" just for him. Instead of my normal yoga pants or jeans, I put on something fancier. I ditch the tennis shoes for some pumps. When we go out for our "date night" we can look into each others eyes without interruption. We have real conversations, and renew our love for each other.
So, are you & God having a "date night?" I love God, but I can take Him for granted at times too! Even thought I see Him in everything I do, sometimes I don't make real time for Him.
But when I schedule a "date" with God, I make time to look into His Word, and have a real conversation with Him, I renew my love for Him. And I don't even have to change out of my yoga pants.
Why not schedule a date with God, and renew your love for Him?
I've never been good at "domestic" stuff. Cooking, cleaning, decorating, crafting....one can say I was challenged in these areas. So I decided to embrace my non-domestic ways. Me? Cook? Ha, never. I am woman, hear me roar! I became part of the feminist movement that says I don't have to do these things. Truth is, I was never trained. Growing up with a mentally ill mother left me challenged. But then something changed.
I joined a cooking co-op. If I would cook dinner just 1 night a week, for myself & three other families, then 3 nights a week I would have dinner delivered to me by another family. To someone who hated (aka can't!) cook this was a dream come true. What happened next was truly a surprise.
I sold my soul, you bought it back for me, And held me up and gave me dignity. You Needed Me, Anne Murray, 1978
What does unconditional love look like to you? According to Wikipedia (the online encyclopedia) unconditional love is to love someone regardless of the loved one's qualities or actions. The paradigm of unconditional love is a mother's love for her newborn.
I don't know about you, but I'm not good at unconditional love. Oh, I love people, but certainly their qualities and actions come into play. I am not oblivious to someone's actions enough that their behavior doesn't play a part in how I feel about them. Yet that is what unconditional love is.
God is the perfect example of unconditional love. The Bible puts it this way, "But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.*" Through sin, I sold my soul. But through Christ's death, he bought it back for me! He held me up and gave me dignity. And He does this for everyone who accepts Him!
You have to have faith. Some people lack faith, and may say to Jesus, "And I can't believe it's true, I can't believe it's you." But I say to Him, "I needed you, and you were there! And I'll never leave. Why would I leave? I'd be a fool. Because I finally found someone who really cares."
In John 15:14, Jesus said, "You are my friends if you do what I command." He even calls us friend. Follow Jesus today. You need him.
Musical Musings: 1. Do you think you are capable of giving unconditional love? How can having Jesus in your life help you be more loving? 2. There are many things we need: Food, clothing, etc. How does you need for a Savior weigh on your mind relative to your other needs? 3. Do you realize how much you need Jesus? Think about the ways you need a Savior in your life. Then thank God for fulfilling that need.
Karaoke: Dear Lord, I need you! You bought my soul back, with the blood of Jesus. You found me when I was lost. You gave me hope when I didn't have it. You even called me friend! Thank you, Lord, for showing me unconditional love and teach me to have a more loving heart like you. In Jesus Name, Amen.
