What came first, the chicken or the egg?
A silly question I know, but one that helps us understand this incredible thing called love.
Love is this absolutely wonderful and hard thing that we chase after, long for and attempt to give others. For some it's a feeling, for others it's a decision, many are sure that it must be both. What most struggle with, if they are eager to really think about it, is the question of where love comes from. Love is so much more than physical attraction and it is more than just a decision. Love is this incredible gift and it's one we receive from God.
The love that God has for us is astounding. He loves us in our brokenness, emptiness, lostness. He loves us in our most joy filled moments and most painful. His love carries s through the darkest and most difficult days and it is his love that rejoices in our greatest triumphs and victories.
God's love envelops us and at the same time sets us free.
God's love brings hope and peace. It changes the way that we see our past, our present and our future.
It is because of God's love that I still believe, that I still journey with Jesus. It is the reason why I keep walking.
Just like the silly chicken certainly came before the egg, God and his love came before anything and everything. God loved first.
He didn't love me first because of my successes and victories in life. He didn't love first because of my future prospects and what I would do with my life when I "arrived". God didn't love me first because of me.
God loved me first in spite of me for his glory.
Paul tells us in Romans 5 that "at just the right time, when we were still powerless, Christ died for the ungodly. Very rarely will anyone die for a righteous man, though for a good man someone might possibly dare to die. But God demonstrated his own love for us in this: while we were still sinners, Christ died for us."
While we were still in our hurt and pain, brokenness and decay, God loved us to such an extent that he took on the very punishment that was owed to us. What love. Yes, I still believe, I still journey with Jesus who took on the very brutal consequence of my sin.
It is this unfathomable love - this unconditional love that holds me fast to God, that keeps me focused and stills my heart and soul. It is a real love, a love that is patient and kind, protecting and hopeful. The love of God that I know is not built on pride or selfishness. It never fails when things become hard. What I have experienced in the past 25 years of being loved by God is that this incredible love perseveres and never ends.
Because he loved first I can love. Because he loved first I can hope.
