 The Difference
My wife and I can safely say we have experienced the difference between loving each other and being "in love" with each other. The first has to do with being committed to a life-long relationship. The latter has more to do with a heart-felt passion that varies in degrees.
As I mentioned in the previous blog, it was very evident in the love letters I wrote to my wife during our engagement that I was very much in love with her. But that would not be the determining factor in the long run of how successful our marriage was going to be.
Beyond Feelings
Love must also be measured by our commitment to a covenant we made before God on June 25, 1994. No matter how we felt toward each other in the future, we would remain together. This also is love.
By Jesus' Definition
This parallels my relationship with Jesus. There have been seasons when my heart's passion for God was much stronger. But there have been other seasons when my love for Him was simply displayed by my obedience to His will for my life. Can you relate to this?
Jesus tells us in John 14:23-24 , "If anyone loves me, he will obey my teaching." In what area of your life do you find it the most difficult to obey God? For me, it's a constant battle to push myself out of my comfort zone of Christian subculture living and into the lives of people who are lost and broken. And yet, this is what Jesus came to do. This is only one of many areas in which I struggle.
Does your life reflect a commitment to Jesus and His desires even when you don't feel like doing the right thing? Have you written God off because you don't feel as close to Him as you once did? I would love to hear from you on this. |
