The Love of God
“But God demonstrates His own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us (Romans 5:8).”If the current restrictions on personal/physical interactions and gathering are getting to you it’s understandable. We were made to be in relationships with others, individually, and in community and when you’re told (at least for now) that such encounters can be detrimental to your health, there is a need to find a way to experience these bonds without human touch. The right relationships bring comfort and healing which builds trust and are crucial to being healthy and whole. Relationships possess qualities that are comforting and healing and when you are loved (sincerely loved) it aids in the development of trust and respect. So how is that kind of love achieved in light of the limited conditions we currently live? And since the lack of human touch can be detrimental to ones health, how can true love be experienced?For years I heard the story of God’s love. John 3:16 was quoted so often that it became a rote bible verse I learned yet it had no direct impact in my life. The knowledge I gained about God’s love was based on the ability to intellectually dissect it. When I heard “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten son that whosoever believe in Him shall not perish but have everlasting life”, I heard God’s action, what He did, but I didn’t understand that I needed to respond to the love He offered. It took years before I would really understand the message of God’s love and it didn’t occur until what was in my head connected to my heart. That was when I felt it, God’s love, and His touch.No one needs to lack either God’s love or God’s touch. All it takes is responding to the love He gave. Think of it this way; God loves you no matter how much you’ve turned away from Him, He loves you when you’ve sinned and welcomes you back into relationship with Him, every promise He made to you He has and will keep, He knows you will make mistakes yet He continues to love you, He accepts you just the way you are, and He is always there for you and will be there for you. The love of God is eternal and will never fail. All glory to God whose presence can be felt and known.