{-1 John 4:10, 16}
Do you remember when you fell in love? That first glance? The first time you held hands? The thought, Could this be the one? Few things on earth can compare to that wonderful experience. Let's face it. That feeling of romantic love is intoxicating. Do you remember that initial connection with your husband? When you thought, Nothing could be better than this.
You know what, I was dead wrong. Oh sure, that passionate love was great (and still is). Passion and romance are certainly legitimate forms of love and important in the process of bringing men and women together. But passionate love is just a taste of something better. It point us to a higher love, a true love. Believe it or not, there is a love that runs deeper, stronger and truer than any form of earthly romance--God's love.
God is not only the Author and Designer of love. He is the very essence of this thing we call love. He is the purest form of the most genuine love. Therefore, it makes sense that our need to love and be loved must first begin with Him. Now this may sound strange at first (especially for men), but do you realize that God essentially wants to engage each of us in a love affair? In fact, did you know that your deepest longing is to be caught up in a love relationship with God? As Brent Curtis and John Eldredge suggest in their book, The Sacred Romance, "This longing is the most powerful part of our personality. It fuels our search for meaning, for unity, for a sense of being truly alive. However we describe this deep desire, it is the most important thing about us, out heart of hearts, the passion of our lives." No human being can fill the void deep within us. Certainly nothing materialistic can satisfy the longing within. It is only through a love relationship with God that we experience a true sense of completion and whiteness.
God's love to you in Christ Jesus is unconditional. It's refreshing to know that His love comes with no strings attached, no hidden agenda or ulterior motives. God's love is stable and enduring, unlike different forms of earthly love, which are temporary and fleeting at it's best. God's love is perfect. It is sufficient to meet all your needs for acceptance, worth, or value. Best of all, Poppa God's love is permanent. The apostole Paul wrote in {Romans 8:38-39}: "For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord."
What do you know about God's love? Can you honestly say that you have experienced true love from above? If you already have this relationship with God, then take the time now to thank Him for the love that only He can provide and reflect upon. If you do not know this love, make it your desire today to establish a love relationship with God through Jesus Christ and begin the greatest romance of your life.
