From Assignment to Revelation: Discovering God’s Love

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As a college freshman, my first assignment was to write a paper on any ‘classic’ book. Innocently, I asked my English professor, “Can I write my paper on the Bible?” To me, there was no more classic book than the Bible.

“Yes,” my professor replied, “but the Bible is a long book with many different topics. Choose one topic.”

I chose the topic of LOVE, unaware of the depth and breadth of what the Bible has to say on the subject and how much I would need to study it.

I had felt God’s love throughout my life, but stopping to study it was a magnificent experience. As Ann Voskamp beautifully writes in One Thousand Gifts, “The only thing that can change us, the world, is this – all His love.”

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“The only thing that can change us, the world, is this – all His love.” – Ann Voscamp, 1000 gifts

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I’ve hesitated to write this post for two reasons:

1. I can’t find my original college paper. It’s probably saved on a floppy disk at the bottom of a box in my basement.
2. Tying to capture the essence of God’s love in one post is like trying to explain the ocean by showing a single drop of water.

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I remember the college assignment forcing me to dig into God’s Word and discover what it says about His love. The more I studied, the more my heart filled with His goodness and awe! While other freshmen sought significance in temporary fixes, I found lasting significance within the pages of my Bible. I grew in my awareness of being unconditionally loved by the Creator of the Universe. I was His beloved daughter.

 

‘See what great love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God!’ 1 John 3:1

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The Creator of the universe loves you exactly as you are, with all your faults and inadequacies—He thinks you are worthy of love!

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Becoming a mom deepened my understanding of God’s love. Having children opens up a new kind of love: a sacrificial love. I had no idea I could love someone who requires so much of me. This made me see, at a deeper level, how much God loves me. He gave everything for me, even His life.

I can see how He still loves me when I mess up because I love my children that way. I’m disappointed when they make wrong choices because I know it hurts them. When they hurt, I hurt. But my love for them doesn’t change.

Although I understood God’s love more after becoming a mother, my love for my children doesn’t compare to God’s love for us. God’s love transcends human love. It is unconditional—not based on feelings or actions. He doesn’t love us because we’re lovable or because we make Him feel good; He loves us because He is love.

Take a minute and learn from your children. Matthew 11:25 says: 

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“At that time Jesus said, ‘I praise you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because you have hidden these things from the wise and learned, and revealed them to little children.’”

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Children never turn down a gift. When you give a child something, they receive it immediately, with no questions asked! They don’t wonder if they’ve earned it or if they deserve it. They just take it. We must learn from our children and receive God’s love like that. It’s a gift!

If you’ve never received the GIFT of God’s love, stop now and tell God that you want to know Him and receive His love!

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Ephesians 2:8-9 tells us:

“For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— not by works, so that no one can boast.”

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God’s not in love with a future version of you; He is in love with you just as you are.

 

If you have difficulty accepting or understanding God’s love, pray Ephesians 3:17-19 over yourself right now, and again each morning:

“I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the Lord’s holy people, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge—that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.”

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Begin to search the Scriptures for what it says about love. Read each verse and let the truth of God’s Word fill your heart with comfort, confidence, peace, joy and love.

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“I have loved you with an everlasting love;    I have drawn you with unfailing kindness.” Jeremiah 31:3

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God desperately wants you to rest in His love. He wants you to live your life knowing you are loved.

Close your eyes and imagine this…

Imagine yourself curled up in your Father’s lap. 

Listen to Him tell you that He loves you.  

Bask in the safety of His love.

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Now, go about your day knowing you are loved and showing that love to each person you encounter.

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Questions for further study:

• How does the Bible describe God’s love, and what are some key scriptures that illustrate its depth and nature?

• In what ways can we practically experience and share God’s love in our daily lives?

• How does understanding God’s unconditional love change our perspective on self-worth and identity?

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Here are some “next steps” you can take after reading this post to further explore and experience the love of God:

1. Daily Scripture Reading: Commit to reading a portion of the Bible each day, focusing on passages that speak about God’s love. Consider starting with the Gospel of John, 1 John, and Psalms.

2. Prayer and Meditation: Spend time in prayer, asking God to help you understand and feel His love more deeply. Meditate on key verses about God’s love, such as Ephesians 3:17-19 and 1 John 4:9-10.

3. Join a Study Group: Find or start a Bible study group focused on exploring the love of God. Discussing with others can provide new insights and deepen your understanding.

4. Read Further: Read books on the love of God, such as “The Ragamuffin Gospel” by Brennan Manning, “The Pursuit of God” by A.W. Tozer, or “What’s God Really Like” by SJ Hill.

5. Serve Others: Put God’s love into action by serving others in your community. Volunteer at a local charity, help a neighbor in need, or participate in a church outreach program.

6. Reflect and Journal: Keep a journal to reflect on your journey of understanding God’s love. Write down your thoughts, prayers, and any revelations you receive during your study and meditation.

7. Practice Gratitude: Make a daily habit of thanking God for His love and the ways you experience it in your life. Gratitude can help reinforce your awareness of His love and presence.

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Have you encountered God’s Great Love for you?  If so, leave me a comment and share how that has impacted you? (Leave a comment by clicking on the little comment graphic by the title of this post)

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Here’s a song about God’s love for you.