And Love Shall Reside...

"God is love. When we take up permanent residence in a life of love, we live in God and God lives in us. This way, love has the run of the house, becomes at home and mature in us, so that we're free of worry on Judgment Day—our standing in the world is identical with Christ's. There is no room in love for fear. Well-formed love banishes fear. Since fear is crippling, a fearful life—fear of death, fear of judgment—is one not yet fully formed in love." 1 John 4:17-18 (The Message)




I've walked through life and at points have felt no love. I've walked through life and at moments have felt what I thought was love. And more recently, I've walked through life and have began to understand love in a new aspect. Each of us, no matter what lifestyle we've lived, or what hand we've been dealt, have all sought out a true, pure love that will accept us under any circumstances.



God has definitely shown me new ways I need to increase my knowledge of His love. There are really two perspectives and one isn't so clear to us all the time. Our perspective on Love will always change. It will change when our emotions get in the way; it will change when people come and go; it will change when we find a new flavor of ice cream we "love". We are human beings and react on emotions that eventually change our perspective on life and unfortunely, that changes our view on love on a whim.



And then there are those of us that have been shown love in an unpure manner. You've been abused and used; left in the dust for someone else to pick up the pieces of your broken heart; or as a child you saw your parents display love in a twisted view. Images and lifestyles are one thing we can not base the true definition of love off of. They will always steer you wrong. But as it reads in 1 John 4, God is love and His perspective (the second one) is one we can trust and base our sound knowledge off of. He never changes. He is not a roller coaster of emotions or "must have in order to"'s. He is a solid foundation to reside upon.



The moment we know God, we gain a portion of knowledge and concept of what true love is. At our moment of Salvation, we will never know the depths and fullness of the Love God has for us. He so desires to know us inside and out... through us telling Him. He already knows us. He created us. But the trueness of His love only comes when we are willingly open to the hand of the Father reaching inside of our hearts and removing those things that hinder the purpose of His love. His love resides in us; it matures in us; it cultivates in us. And in those moments of fear, His love and touch comes in like a flood and washes over us to bring us comfort and peace. His Love never changes for us, so why does our love change for Him so much?



Moral of my note tonight: Don't let your guard be so strong that you miss the love of God that is supposed to reside in your heart. Don't let the past keep Him out from removing the fear and insecurities in your life. Don't forget that there will always be grace and mercy, but along with that you need His wisdom and knowledge. Don't let your past get in the way of your future. Don't be uneased at the God who wants to know you; that desires to know you. Embrace it. Let Him hold you in the deepest hours of your life... and rejoice with you when you've walked through that season of lonliness and refining.



He Loves You.