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Loved

“For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.”

John 3:16, NIV

My brother likes to tease me about a time when we were children. Our father was disciplining my brother for something he had done. I was in the background, observing and clearly calculating that I did not want this to happen to me. In an act of self-preservation, I chimed in, “Was I a good girl, Daddy?” I haven’t lived that down!

My childhood story highlights a little girl’s desire to please her dad. However, at a deeper level, I think it had much more to do with one of my core human needs—to know that I was loved.

God, our Father, knows our need for love. He wired us this way, and he relentlessly pursues us with his love. He doesn’t mock us for wondering or doubting his love. He doesn’t withhold his love because of something we’ve done or not done. Even in times of discipline, he assures us and reassures us and assures us again of his great love for us. In Jeremiah 31:3 he says, “I’ve never quit loving you and never will. Expect love, love and more love!” (MSG).

God loves us—and the whole world—so much that he provided a way to reconcile all things to himself through Jesus.

This is what we believe, what we sing about and what we teach. Still, I speak with too many Christ-followers who are struggling to believe and claim the truth that “I am loved.” We dwell on ways we are unlovable instead of basking in God’s unconditional, loved-us-first, ever-present love. We listen to the words of others rather than listening to God’s whispers to us: I love you. Nothing, absolutely nothing, can separate you from my love (see Rom. 8:37–39, MSG).

God’s very character is love (1 John 4:16). His extravagant love is fully expressed and accomplished through Jesus. He has lavished his love on us, invited us to receive his love and called us his children (1 John 3:1). When we come into God’s love we are identified with Christ, we live in God and God lives in us (1 John 4:17, MSG). We live and lead loved.

How refreshing and invigorating to live from my identity of being unconditionally loved by God. Knowing it is well with my soul. Having the ability to show up and be more concerned about others than I am about myself. Not needing to self-protect or manage my image. Living in freedom to be me. Reconciled with God because of his great love for me and now at work with him to extend this same love to others.

I am loved. There’s nothing I’ve done to earn or deserve it. God’s love doesn’t shift based on my response. It is love expressed by my Father’s open arms beckoning me into his presence. He sees everything about me and gives no indication of disappointment or shame. His gentle embrace comforts and quiets me. In this love I am able to open myself completely to the One who gave everything for me to live with him forever—a praise-filled response to this incredible love!

“The Lord your God is with you, the Mighty Warrior who saves.

He will take great delight in you; in his love he will no longer rebuke you, but will rejoice over you with singing.”

Zephaniah 3:17, NIV