It Must Be Love

Once upon a time, I loved possessions, money, sex, and alcohol — for all the wrong reasons. My adoration of the material and physical teetered downward into madness. Even true love wasn’t something I believed to be true because of my distorted perception. Love was a myth. An urban legend as elusive as the Loch Ness monster. Besides, who would truly love me if I didn’t love myself?

The answer came like something out of a sci-fi movie, invading my cells and taking hostage everything that was destructive. What rushed in, albeit overwhelming, was peaceful as I succumbed to that force - the purest love of almighty God - making me a true believer.

Today’s verse is the simplest, yet most beautiful fact that any three words could state and it was burned on my damaged soul. True love was no longer a fallacy or a nasty rumor. It was God and he looked me in the eyes without flinching.

As ridiculous as it seemed then, passing time built in me a solid confidence that God’s love was mine. It’s who he was, is, and always will be, without question, and it’s for everyone. God simply waits for us to receive that love. Once we do, there’s no undoing it.

As God’s children, we are the blessed recipients of his love — an inheritance that has always existed. We are forever sealed by our heavenly Father. May we never squander nor doubt the reality of God’s love. Instead, let us share it freely and fully with others.

Precious Father, if it wasn’t for your saving me, I would never know what true love is supposed to look like. You loved me when I didn’t love myself and you continue to love me in spite of my sinfulness. Yet, it is your pure love that causes me to aspire to be Christ-like and demonstrate your love to others. Enable me, daily, to harvest a heart and attitude of love wherever I go and with whomever I meet. Thank you. I love and praise you. It is in Jesus' name I pray. Amen.

Throughout This Day: Invite God to fill you with his love towards each person you meet. Trust him to enable you to manifest that love in all your interactions with them.