May 24, 2021
The Love We All Want
Gwen Smith
Today’s Truth
See what kind of love the Father has given to us, that we should be called children of God; and so we are (1 John 3:1, NIV).
Friend to Friend
I am the middle child of five born to my parents in eight short years. Our house buzzed with activity, sibling rivalry, and noise. Stadiums full of noise. I was one girl among a handful of kids who wanted to catch the eye of my busy, work-a-holic daddy.
While I knew he loved me, I wanted so much more from my dad.
I wanted to hear his love, to feel his love, to be sheltered by his love, and to be adored.
One of my favorite childhood memories is when my big, strong father would take both of my hands in his and then begin to spin. Running in circles around him, I would quickly gain momentum and take flight. Round and round we would go. Pure delight. My heart soared with the wild, dizzy adventure of it all as my brown eyes laughed with his blue eyes, shrinking to crescents of joy.
And when the moment was over, I wanted more.
Do it again, Daddy! I would beg. Please? Just one more time!
I wanted more of the love. More of the adventure. More of the joy that centered on the attention of my father.
I wanted more than any human or any adventure could ever give.
And I still do.
I often look to my husband, children, friendships, status, career, wallet, or waistline to fill this ache that drives me. When will I learn that my people, positions, and possessions are not my God?
I am so thankful that the Bible reminds me of this intensely personal truth: God is my heavenly Father – my Abba Father – who loves me in the way I’ve always wanted to be loved. Perfectly. All-sufficiently.
John wrote about the love found in the family and heart of God. "See what kind of love the Father has given to us, that we should be called children of God; and so we are" (1 John 3:1, NIV).
We need to know this. To grasp this. To accept this. To embrace this. The kind of love that welcomes us as family. That sees and invites us into belonging.
I do want the love of my people. And that’s okay. But I cannot expect that the imperfect nature of humanity, relationships, and this world can satisfy my deepest heart cravings.
Only God's love can satisfy a soul.
Only God.
Only the One who was willing to sacrifice His Son to bridge the chasm of death between His holiness and my humanness. His is the love that holds, the love that heals, the love that refines, the love that calls my waywardness back to purity with kindness, the love that is always with me, that saves, rejoices over me with singing, and takes great delight in me. (Zephaniah 3:17)
This love. This sacred, scarlet love of Jesus is the only water that can quench the desperate longings of my thirsty soul. His is the only love that satisfies. To grasp the love God has for me, my feeble hands must reach for the ones that were pierced for my transgressions.
Reach for them with me.
Let’s Pray
Dear Lord, You are perfect love…and all that my soul longs for. When I am dizzy with discontent, please calm me with sacred love that satisfies.
In Jesus’ Name, Amen.
Now It’s Your Turn
How personally do you take God’s love? Is it hard for you to imagine? Me too. But truth is truth. We need to take God at His WORD! Read and meditate on these verses: Ephesians 2:4-5, 1 Peter 5:6-7, Psalm 86:15 and Zephaniah 3:17.
GIVEAWAY: Journal a one-sentence summary that encapsulates the truth of God’s love for you. Then tell me your one sentence summary! Leave it as a comment on my blog or as a direct message on my Instagram! I will be picking 3 random one-sentence-summaries to receive a FREE digital download of the music soundtrack from my book I Want It All.
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© 2021 by Gwen Smith. All rights reserved.
Originally published Monday, 24 May 2021.
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