The Test of Love(for God)

Sometimes we get too caught up with what we are doing that we forget what we are doing it for. Many times we embark on projects without even knowing its purpose. Many times, we end up being human doings instead of human beings. And that's when you know you've drifted away from God. Your purpose on Earth was not to be a human doing. Rather, your purpose here is to be a human being. A human being is weak, and that's why we need God. A human being is imperfect, that's why we need God. A human being is never and never will be strong enough, wise enough, fast enough, tall enough, rich enough or basically perfect enough. And that's why we need God. Because only in His love can we be found perfect, only by His grace can we be delivered, only by His strength can we soar, only in His ways can we ultimately prosper.

What has this got to do with loving God, you ask? Plenty. Nowadays, listening has becoming an overlooked thing. 'Let him who has ears, hear'. Jesus uses this phrase more than once. In fact, a quick check reveals that eight times in the Gospels and eight times in the Book of Revelation we are reminded that's it's not enough just to have ears, it's necessary to use them. A relationship is not just about one person speaking, it's about both parties speaking and listening to each other. It's the same with God. How often do we really sit down to seek the voice of God? How many times do we really sit down to listen to God, while putting aside the constraints of time? Or have our prayers been just about us? About us just coming to God, laying all our requests before God and then shutting off without waiting to listen to Him?

There are two questions I'd like to ask you the reader today.
1.How long has it been since you let God have you?
I mean, really have you? How long since you gave Him a portion of undiluted time, uninterrupted time listening for His voice? How long since you put aside everything, and just shut in with God? Jesus did. He made intentional efforts to be alone with God, seeking God and listening to Him. Every Gospel accounts for us at least once that Jesus spent regular time alone with God. He withdrew from the crowds, from his disciples, everything, and went to a faraway place to pray, to seek God. Besides praying, Jesus also spent time reading God's Word. Time and again, we see that Jesus knew the scriptures well, and he also knew how to use them. A very familiar example is when Satan tempts him in the wilderness. Jesus used the scriptures three times, and three times he made Satan shut up. Friends two keys: Prayer and Bble reading. If Jesus, the Son of God thought it necessary to do these, shouldn't we do so more?

2.How long since you let God love you?
God isn't a genie. Don't come to God and tell him how what you want from Him. Don't come to God with earthly requests and expect all to be fulfilled because that's not what we need God for. Instead, allow God to sit you on His laps, to embrace you with His arms and allow Him to tell you how much He loves you. That's what God wants to do with you. To tell you much He loves you. "The LORD your God is with you; he is mighty to save. He will take great delight in you, he will quiet you with his love, he will rejoice over you with singing." (Zephaniah3:17) Read this verse over. Notice who is active who is passive? Who is singing and who is resting? Who is rejoicing over His loved one and who is being rejoiced over? Many times we think we are the singers when we worship. But there are times when God would rather have us be still and allow Him to sing over us. God loves you and He wants you to know it. He wants to rejoice over you. Feel like you're not worth it? Surely Judas wasn't, but Jesus washed his feet anyway. Neither was Peter, but Jesus loved him anyway. Neither were the Emmaus-bound disciples, but Jesus took time to sit at their table. Friends who are we to determine if we are worthy? Our job is to simply be still long enough to let God have us and let Him love us.

Friends I want to encourage you this day forth to let God have you, and let God love you.


I will never let go of your love, your mighty love
I will never let go of your love, your mighty love
You'll never fail me, and you'll never let me go
I will never let go of your love

"The LORD appeared to us in the past, saying:'I have loved you with an everlasting love; I have drawn you with loving-kindness.' "(Jeremiah31:3)