Read Hinds Feet on High Places by Hannah Hurnard, an allegorical novel on a soul’s journey to joy.
“Therefore, I will now allure her, and bring her into the wilderness, and speak tenderly to her.” Hosea 2:14
God waits for us every day to still our own hearts, listen to His whispers, and to grow in His love. Our Creator allures us, brings us into the wilderness in our lives, speaks tenderly to us, and gives us new life.
There are many instances in the Bible where God our Father reveals His love for us: through His steadfast love for Israel in the Old Testament, and through Christ’s love for us in the New Testament. Verse upon verse, the Lord speaks to us through time and scripture with a message of unconditional love. Through the prophet Hosea, He reveals His love for His people even when they are unfaithful to Him. And it is through parables like the prodigal son and the lost sheep, through Jesus’ death and resurrection, and through the gift of the Holy Spirit we receive at baptism that we know of God’s unfailing love for each one of us.
“You were taught to put away your former way of life, your old self, corrupt and deluded by its lusts, and to be renewed in the spirit of your minds, and to clothe yourselves with the new self, created according to the likeness of God in true righteousness and holiness.” Ephesians 22-24
Let us pray. Jesus, thank you for loving me with Your entire being. Thank you for teaching me what love is and for showing me how to love. Make my love for You grow more and more each day. And help me to love others like you. Amen.
Take Action
Think about one small quiet act of love you could do for someone that you encounter almost every day – perhaps a family member, or a co-worker. Maybe it’s by taking an extra few minutes to learn about their day, or by making a fresh pot of coffee and bringing some to them. Do something you have never done before that they might appreciate, some small and quiet act to bring them joy. Make this a permanent change.