Loving & Being Loved
- Abbi
- Sep 13, 2024
- 2 min read
To love and be loved are often one and the same.
A few days ago, I found myself journaling this phrase. It's a little confusing at first glance. But the more I ponder it, the more true it feels.
When someone genuinely loves you, and displays this love in countless beautiful ways, it's almost impossible to resist loving that person in return. This dynamic very much describes my experience of the Father's love. Any capacity I have to love others is simply because I have been shown deep love by God and people.
Sometimes, though, it can be hard for me to comprehend the fact that God's love isn't based on my accomplishments (or lack thereof), but the reality that I am His child. Of course, there's nothing wrong with living a full, generous life. In fact, I believe we're called to operate in this way. However, it can be tempting to assess my worth based on a million things other than the fact that I am loved. And when I believe I have to strive for love, loving God and others tends to feel like a burden rather than a blessing. In reality, getting to love people is one of the greatest privileges on earth. And being loved feels like life itself.
If you relate to the struggle of feeling like you have to earn His love, perhaps consider taking a moment or two to be still. Maybe ask the Father: How do you see me? This practice might be new to you, or you may have moved through it a thousand times. Either way, I believe it's healing for our hearts.
If you're interested, here are some of my favorite songs that speak to this theme of His endless love:
"Dear God" by Cory Asbury: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hHmO7cRRZac
"Runaway" by Jess Ray: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w_2R13qOS8c&list=PLs0NCU5OrNZ1sq2LBAmqxJcJ-pwoV24Cs
"Lean Back" by Maverick City Music (feat. Amanda Lindsey Cook and Chandler Moore):
"Steady" by Cecily: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8HnGipEi_uk
"Home To Me" by Jason Upton: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e7KcQY43_vE
Praying for you to experience His kindness in amazing ways this week. Especially if it's something you haven't felt in a long time. ❤️
What marvelous love the Father has extended to us! Just look at it—we’re called children of God! That’s who we really are. But that’s also why the world doesn’t recognize us or take us seriously, because it has no idea who he is or what he’s up to.
1 John 3:1 (The Message)
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