Andrew Peterson is one of my favorite song writers. While riding my bike home from work on Tuesday this line from his song, "Just as I Am," struck meIt's the fear that His love is no better than mine.
I shared this with my small group the next night...
My love is quite conditional. I'll love you if you love me. If you reciprocate my feelings, my words, my efforts back to me than all I got is love for you.
However, if you don't there won't be much love flowing from me. Worse, if you wrong me (well, I'll try not to wrong you back) I won't love you. I'll despise you, abhor you, and the last thing I'll do is pray for you.
Sound harsh? I think it sounds true of the human condition. The thing with my love is that it is about Mike. I can give and give and give but if I don't feel valued in return than I can grow and grow and grow in resentment. Why? Because I'm not being validated, because I have been wronged.
But God doesn't love like me. God gives and gives and gives and often I reject that love. God does get frustrated and angry and upset. It might boil into discipline but it is never subtracted from love. The truth is that despite my rejection God continues to pursue. Because God's love is not about God's self but about the ones he loves. That is unconditional.
2 comments:
Mike, isn't it good that God's love is a perfect reflection all the time? It shines bright and pure. The love we give to others is a dim reflection of His love. "We love because He first loved us". Sometimes we get it right but more often than not, we don't. Aren't you glad He doesn't give up on us? ... By the way we keep loving and believing in you, too. We're so glad that you ask the questions and seek to follow God whole heartedly. Love, Mom
My Mom is awesome :)
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