July 2, 2021
What Does Love Really Mean?
Mary Southerland
Today’s Truth
Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love (1 John 4:8, NIV).
Friend to Friend
A group of four through eight-year-olds was asked: “What does love mean?” Their answers vary from the amusing to the profound.
Love is when a girl puts on perfume and a boy puts on shaving cologne, and they go out and smell each other.
Love is when you go out to eat and give somebody most of your French fries without making them give you any of theirs.
Love is what makes you smile when you’re tired.
When my grandmother got arthritis, she couldn’t bend over and paint her toenails anymore. So my grandfather does it for her all the time, even when his hands got arthritis, too. That’s love.
When you tell someone something bad about yourself and you’re scared they won’t love you anymore. But then you get surprised because not only do they still love you … they love you even more.
Love is when mommy sees daddy smelly and sweaty and still says he is handsomer than Denzel Washington.
Love is when your puppy licks your face even after you left him alone all
day.
Love cards, like Valentine’s cards, say stuff on them that we’d like to say ourselves, but we wouldn’t be caught dead saying.
Yes, the response of these children is both precious and humorous. But the reality is that there is only one place where we can find true love – in a personal relationship with God.
God loves you. He created you. The words of Psalm 139 beautifully express the heart of God toward each one of us:
“For You created my inmost being. You knit me together in my mother’s womb. I praise You because I am fearfully and wonderfully made. Your works are wonderful. I know that full well” (Psalm 139:13, NIV).
God’s love does so many big things in our lives. God’s love transforms the ugliness of life into a beautiful trophy of grace. Love covers the scars of sin, heals wounds, and eases pain.
Jesus was and is the living illustration and certain fulfillment of His Father’s love. The love of God is unconditional and unfailing. It will stubbornly pursue us no matter where we go or what we do. God’s love satisfies the deepest longings of our soul, enables us to love ourselves, and frees us to love others.
God’s love shows up in big ways … but sometimes it is when God’s love shows up in little ways that He really gets to me. But the bottom line is that the love of God always shows up!
Many of you are facing painful circumstances. Others are in a place you never thought you would be. The uncertainty of what lies ahead can be frightening … unless you truly know and trust the One who holds every minute of every tomorrow in His hands.
“For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life,” (John 3:16, NIV).
God’s love changes everything and everyone who receives it. God’s love protects and breathes life and purpose into every minute of every day. God’s love is a gift beyond measure that surrounds us and covers us when life falls apart.
Do not believe the lies of the enemy when he tells you that your God has forsaken you. God is with you – Emmanuel. He endured the cross, completely and absolutely alone, because He loves you.
No one can take your place in the Father’s heart. God knows your pain and He understands. God created you and paid for your sin for one reason alone – He loves you. And true love always shows up.
God is for you … and He is with you. Let His unfailing love surround and fill your heart with hope.
Let’s Pray
Thank You for loving me, God. Honestly, I don’t understand that kind of love; a love that sent Jesus Christ to the cross so that I can live. But today, I celebrate Your love. Father, please help me learn how to freely share that love with the people in my world.
In Jesus’ Name, Amen.
Now It’s Your Turn
Look for the evidence of God’s love at work in your life.
Look around. Someone in your world needs to know that Jesus loves him or her. What can you do to help them experience the love of God? Make a plan … and then do it!
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© 2021 by Mary Southerland. All rights reserved.
Originally published Friday, 02 July 2021.
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