Editor’s Note: This blog kicks off our February Share the Love focus. Our prayer for you this month is that you drink in and experience God’s great love for you so deeply that it fills your very soul and gives you all the good love you need to love others well. Share the Love!
I love a good love story.
In one of my favorite movies, Pride and Prejudice, Mr. Darcy emerges from a misty field to breathlessly proclaim to Elizabeth Bennet, “You have bewitched me body and soul, and I love, I love, I love you. And wish from this day forth never to be parted from you.” Every time I see this, I immediately think two things: (1) Good gosh, grab that man and kiss him like your whole life depends on it, and (2) Why, oh why do men not really talk that way!
The truth of the matter is that God was breathing words of love for you and I long before we were even born. Before we did a single love-worthy thing. Actually, His love for us has more to do with His character than ours. That’s a good thing because His character isn’t fickle; It never changes. So, let’s start this month by taking a few moments to relive what I believe are some of the most beautiful words of love ever spoken. And remember, these words describe how truly deeply God loves YOU.…
LAVISHLY
See what great love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are! – 1 John 3:1
UNCEASINGLY
The LORD’s lovingkindnesses indeed never cease, for His compassions never fail. They are new every morning; Great is Your faithfulness. – Lamentations 3:22-23
UNCONDITIONALLY
But God showed his great love for us by sending Christ to die for us while we were still sinners. – Romans 5:8
SACRIFICIALLY
This is how we know what love is: Jesus Christ laid down His life for us… – 1 John 3:16
FAITHFULLY
Give thanks to the God of heaven. His faithful love endures forever. – Psalm 136:26
CALMINGLY
The LORD your God is in your midst, a mighty one who will save; He will rejoice over you with gladness; he will quiet you by His love; He will exult over you with loud singing. – Zephaniah 3:17
INSEPARABLY
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. – Romans 8:38-39
This list just scratches the surface of the ways God loves us, but it’s a worthy start. Contemplating God’s love notes in Scripture are the best way we can regularly remind ourselves that we are wildly wooed and pursued by Him; that He loves us exactly how we need to be loved and will always do so. These reminders keep us from walking around like a bunch of needy women, looking to have our love needs met by other mere mortals. Fully embracing God’s love for us also gives us all the love we need to love others well.
Let’s start a new habit this month. Let’s decide to regularly reread and keep counting the ways God loves us so we can truly live like the well-loved women we are. Single, married, widowed or divorced…that’s a Valentine we can all enjoy!
Meet the Author!
Bible teacher, author, inspirational speaker and disciple-maker, Vickey Banks is passionate about helping women connect the dots between God’s Word and their everyday lives. She loves serving as Women’s Ministry Director at Council Road, celebrating her people, playing with her puppy and getting lost in a good story.