She asked me, “How do you love God more than your boyfriend?”
It was a good question – one I hadn’t thought about since I accepted Christ eight years ago. My friend continued: “I mean, a relationship with God feels so one-way … It’s easier to have a relationship with a physical person than an intangible God.”
I love God. But there is a tension that arises when you meet someone whose love may seem so much more present and tangible. Without throwing shade at God, just think about it: The response time tends to be a lot faster and there’s physical touch.
When human love is this tangible, how do we keep it far beneath God’s throne in our lives? Here are some things about loving God that I’ve learnt along the way.
LOVE HAS TWO TYPES
Our relationship with God is different from our relationship with another human being. Really let that sink in: That the Maker would love us, mere specks of dust … That’s a mystery (Psalm 8:3-4).
But God’s love looks a lot more different than human love. For instance, while we can verbally talk to God, only a minority of believers have the privilege of hearing Him respond audibly.
Yes, God can speak to us through people and His Word – but our spirits must be sensitive and discerning to sieve out the words that are truly God’s.
God doesn’t play hard to get. The truth is listening to Him is nowhere near as easy as human chatter.
LOVE REQUIRES EFFORT
I’ve wrote about how our relationship with God is like a long-distance relationship (LDR).
We know that LDRs are more difficult to keep going than a “normal” relationship, but couples in a LDR intentionally work at it because of their love for each other.
The long and short of it is that we put in extra effort – Skype calls, flying over, special deliveries – to remain close with our partner overseas, because we’ve chosen beforehand to make the relationship a priority worth working for.
Come to a place where you’re able to say: “Even if I was the only person on this planet – You are more than enough for me.”
The same principles apply to God, only He is nearer than we think (Psalm 119:151, Psalm 145:18). We are the ones who are prone to drift away, who consequentially feel far away from Him.
Does God get that extra effort from you? You must decide that God is your priority and put the effort in. He will draw near (James 4:8) as you do so – in ways that completely surpass human love.
LOVE IS FUELED BY GRATITUDE
A heart of gratitude helps to propel our relationship with God. Gratitude can be as simple as daily acknowledging that God loves you.
It is intentionally remembering all the good that He has done in your life. We get daily reminders from our loved ones like sweet messages, hugs or acts of service.
But what about God? What does He get? He’s the one who never forgets. Instead of being so self-concerned, let’s look up to Him and take the time to be thankful for who He is – for all He has done.
via GIPHY
A friend once shared with me, how God had shown her love in the most amazing way. It was when she had finally broken up with her non-Christian boyfriend after a long struggle.
She had trouble believing that God could satisfy her in the area of companionship.
How could God hold her hand when she needs encouragement – hug her when she needs comfort? How could God physically replace another human being?
That was the struggle. She mourned over the loss she would incur for choosing Christ. And while she was crying to God during a Church camp, a sister came up to her and embraced her.
“I just felt that God wanted me to give you this hug,” said the sister.
God is bigger than a hug or a held hand – yet He met my friend right where she was. That’s our God!
LOVE THE LORD YOUR GOD
If you feel like loving God is one-sided, dare to ask Him to change your mind about it. Live out a life of wonder that puts Him first in all things.
Come to a place where you’re able to say: “Even if I was the only person on this planet – You are more than enough for me.”
God is bigger than all things – He is infinitely bigger. So, let’s stay our eyes heavenward.
Never lose the wonder.
