God is Love

"And so we know and rely on the love God has for us.  God is love.  Whoever lives in love lives in God, and God in them.  This is how love made complete among us so that we will have confidence on the day of judgment:  In this world we are like Jesus.  There is no fear in love.  But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment.  The one who fears is not made perfect in love.  We love because he first loved us."  1 John 16-19

It's February!  Hard to believe we have entered February already - January flew by!!  I have always designated February as the Love Month.  Yes, it has lots to do with Valentine's Day.  My dad loved Valentine's Day (there weren't too many holidays my Dad didn't like).  It was all about finding new and unique ways for him to share his love with my Mom.  Yet, it was more than that.  It was about expressing love throughout our family.  This meant special meals prepared by my Dad and brother.  It meant gifts selected precisely for that person (not always the most expensive, but the most meaningful).  It meant small notes and cherished smiles.

The three most special words of our verses above focuses on "God is Love".  It's hard to see love when God asked Abraham to take his son to the top of a mountain as a sacrifice.  It's hard to see love when God sent the seven plagues.  It's hard to see love as God's son died on the cross.  There are many references throughout the Bible where it may be difficult for us to see God's love.  

It is no different today.  It is hard to see God's love in environmental tragedies.  It's hard to see God's love in wars and disagreements.  It's hard to see God's love in watching people suffer from health issues.  What is important for us to understand is that these things are going to happen, but it doesn't mean that God doesn't love us.  In fact, the answer is in the first sentence of our verse.  When we RELY on the love God has for us, we then know that God is with us.  

Relying on God's love doesn't mean a life of no tragedies, a life where there are no disagreements, a life with no suffering.  Relying on God's love means a life where we have someone who will always put their arms around us, hold us close, and let us know we are not alone.  Isn't that what love is?  To be able to have someone that we can go to during good times and bad and continues to hold us no matter what the circumstance?  Someone who always finds new and unique ways to love us.  Someone who expresses their love for us each day we rise.  Someone who has prepared the most precious meal, for us, the Holy Supper.  Someone who has written the biggest love note ever in the Holy Bible.   God is love - every day, every moment, on earth and in heaven.

It's not always easy to see God with us and feel is love surround us.  Many times it happens in the places we least expect it - through a smile of a grocery clerk, through a hug from a friend, through a song on a radio, or through the beauty of a sunrise.  God's love is there, my friend.  He can't wait to wrap you up in his arms of love.  Seek him and let God know that you want to rely on him for his love.

Heavenly Father, thank you for your abounding love.  No matter what situation I am in, no matter how heavy my sin or how many times I have turned my back on you, you continue to lavish your love around me.  Help me to rely on you, God, so that I can feel your love each and every day.  In your loving arms I am at home.  Amen!