“It’s not about you.”
Last week we talked about putting the mirror down and getting the focus off of ourselves. Not the most popular line of thinking these days is it? We love to talk about our issues, our challenges, our past…but for this series we are exploring why we were created in the first place.
Now that the mirror is put away, let’s talk about love.
Before I even get started, I bet I can read your mind. You’re already thinking that I’m going to tell you that you were created to love others. That we are here to lavish love onto those that are less fortunate and to give of ourselves until we are empty. That in loving others, we will find our purpose.
Wrong. And right.
Today we aren’t talking about our performance.
We are talking about being loved.
Love.
One of the most over used words in the English language. One of the most weighted words in the English language. One of the most desired titles in the English language.
Why a title?
Don’t we all want to be loved? To be cared for and thought of? Don’t we all long to have someone who is wise, caring, discerning, someone who keeps our best interest in mind, who is fair and gentle to love us?
I say yes.
Look around.
Television movies are always centered around a relationship where either love conquers all or someone is looking to be loved.
Authors make millions of dollars selling books telling stories of two people not meant to be together who find their way through every roadblock until they intersect in the last chapter and live happily ever after.
Women young and old let things go too far too quick in dating relationships hoping they will be loved in return.
Our culture is inundated with stories and photos and music that awaken something deep within us that says “somebody love me!!!”?
Where do we think this desire to be loved comes from?
Why are we wired this way?
God.
He placed in each of us the desire to be loved. He did that.
Why?
Because He wants to be the one to fulfill that longing. He wants for me and for you to open our hearts up to Him to fill that hole.
“How blessed is God! And what a blessing he is! He’s the Father of our Master, Jesus Christ, and takes us to the high places of blessing in him. Long before he laid down earth’s foundations, he had us in mind, had settled on us as the focus of his love, to be made whole and holy by his love. Long, long ago he decided to adopt us into his family through Jesus Christ. (What pleasure he took in planning this!) He wanted us to enter into the celebration of his lavish gift-giving by the hand of his beloved Son.”
Ephesians 1:3-6 The Message
Read this again. Read it slowly.
“...long before the earth’s foundations…” He envisioned us.
“...he had us in mind…” He thought of us.
“…settled on us as the focus of his love...” He chose to make us his center.
“…adopt us into his family...” Before we were born he knew He wanted us.
“…He wanted us…” His mind was made up.
“…his lavish gift-giving…” He planned to demonstrate His love for us.
None of this has anything to do with our performance.
None of it.
One of the reasons you are here on this earth is for God’s pleasure.
So He can love you.
He takes pleasure in loving YOU!
It you are a parent, think of it this way. Don’t you love your children just the way they are? Especially if you planned on having them, don’t you cherish the fact that you have this child and that they are yours. They carry your name. They resemble you in appearance.
What if they were laying in a hospital bed and were unable to do their chores. Would you love them the same as when they could hold a broom?
What if they got caught up in the wrong crowd and went astray for a while. Would you love them the same as when they were under your wings?
What if they lived their lives pursuing their dreams. Would you love them any less if they did not?
That parental love…it’s not performance based. It doesn’t come with conditions.
I John 4:8 tells us that “God is love”. It’s His nature. His character. We were created in His image and that love resides in us. Both our desire to love and our desire to be loved.
Let’s settle on this for now…you exist so that God can love you.
He loves you whether you want it or not.
He loves you whether you think you deserve it or not.
He loves you whether you are walking in His ways or not.
He loves you. Period.
Like a loving father, even if you push back, run away or turn your back on Him, He still loves you.
He has since before the foundations of the earth were set. Before.
So let’s rest in that. Breath it in. Believe it.
Reflect & Respond:
**Perhaps you were taught that the purpose of your existence is solely to please God through your actions. Reflect on the scripture above. Read it and ask Him to help you believe it.
** What’s your response to this good news? I’d love to hear about it!
Simple Faith 