The Backdrop
Let’s admit it. Sometimes it’s hard to love God. Maybe it’s not so much that it’s hard, but we wonder if it matters. We want to love God, but it’s a little similar to shopping for someone who has everything. How can our contribution of love make any difference to God? Does He even notice?
Actually, it might be easier than you think.
One of the best questions to ask when gift shopping for someone who has everything is simply, “What does this person love to do?” The answer to that question can provide gobs of options ranging from gear to gift certificates. When looking for ways to love God, we can ask the same question: What does God love to do? Fortunately, He’s told us.
The What
In the passages below, look for things that God does for us. To help notice the detail, print these verses and draw a cloud over God’s actions and smileys over anything that represents us.
“Yet to all who did receive Him, to those who believed in His name, He gave the right to become children of God—children born not of natural descent, nor of human decision or a husband’s will, but born of God. The Word became flesh and made His dwelling among us. We have seen His glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth” (John 1:12-14).
“This righteousness is given through faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe. There is no difference between Jew and Gentile, for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and all are justified freely by His grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus” (Rom. 3:22-24).
“To Him who is able to keep you from stumbling and to present you before His glorious presence without fault and with great joy—to the only God our Savior be glory, majesty, power and authority, through Jesus Christ our Lord, before all ages, now and forevermore! Amen” (Jude 1:24-25).
The So What
If you’ve ever wanted to get to know God better, now’s your chance. Every action of God you found in these verses are things He loves to do. Take a minute to list each action on a sheet of paper. Label the list: “Things God Loves To Do.”
After you’ve made the list, spend some time praying over each action. Ask God to prompt you as to how to respond to each thing God loves to do.
Wrapping It Up
So here’s the big question: What can you do that allows God to do what He loves to do? Your answer to this question will help you know how to love God. Write down at least two of your own ideas or thoughts before you read what we think in the closing paragraph.
Closing
So, here’s one sure-fire way to show your love to God: Let Him love you. Let Him do what He loves to do: to adopt you as His child, to clean you by His grace, to present you without fault before His glorious presence. Accept what He does: He cleans us, He redeems us—He takes our baggage and our mistakes and makes something beautiful with them.
Yes, loving God is easier than we think. Just let Him do what He loves to do: love you!
