The Lord has appeared of old to me, saying: "Yes, I have loved you with an everlasting love; Therefore with lovingkindness I have drawn you (Jeremiah 31:3).
We’re born with an innate need to be loved. The human spirit thrives when nurtured by love. Without it, there is an emptiness seeking to be filled. Living without love creates idolatry. Idolatry is getting a legitimate need met in an illegitimate way.
Most of the indulgences of the flesh are temporary fixes to a much deeper problem. Some fill the emptiness that only love can fill with food additions. Some fill the emptiness with sexual escapades that will mar life and wreck their future, leaving life empty and defiled. Others dull the pain of emptiness with alcohol or drug abuse. Many are workaholics. They are afraid of the emptiness they feel when things get quiet and the activity ceases.
God the Father created us to be loved by Him. The human heart can only be satisfied by His unconditional love. No other antidote to emptiness works.
Human relationships were designed by God to work well only in the context of a love relationship with Him. Without this love relationship, selfishness born of the sin nature will hinder closeness and depth.
Jesus reveals to us the sum total of our personal needs as He spoke to some religious folk of His day. Then one of them, a lawyer, asked Him a question, testing Him, and saying, Teacher, which is the great commandment in the law? Jesus said to him, You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind. This is the first and great commandment. And the second is like it: 'You shall love your neighbor as yourself. On these two commandments hang all the Law and the Prophets (Matthew 22:35-40).
We were created to be loved and to love. Love is the incubator for the human personality.
Without it, life becomes dry, meaningless, and needy. When I speak of love, I must define my terms. This love that comes from the Father is gentle, kind, forbearing, patient, encouraging, genuine, hopeful, helpful, pure, and unconditional. God the Father knows you so well. He knows your deep needs more than anyone. He knows why you think and respond the way you do. He will not criticize or judge you. He will accept you the way you are, and then draw you into Himself and show you a new way to deal with life.
It’s hard not to become poetic when speaking of the Fathers love. It’s so hard to put into words. Being with Him brings a fullness inside; a sense of being so loved and cared for that no fear can penetrate. Fear vanishes when you open up and really receive His unconditional love.
Choose today to open yourself up to the Father’s love. Ask Him to help you take the walls down. Humble yourself under His loving hand. He will help you. Pour your heart out to Him. Tell Him all of your worries and concerns. Allow your every motive to pass through His loving gaze. Ask Him to help you where you know you are wrong. His love will penetrate the barrier of your flesh. His love can fill every unmet need. His love will change you.
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