…what God loves? Most of us who know the Bible or go to church have heard that God is love. The apostle John tells us in his first letter, “Dear friends, let us love one another, for love comes from God. Everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God. Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love.”
Love comes from God. God is love. But what does God love?
In John’s gospel, Jesus told Nicodemus (a religious leader) “For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son that whoever believes in Him will not perish but have everlasting life.”
God loves the world. As you study the Scripture, you see that God loves the world as a whole, but He also loves us individually. The prophet Daniel was told by an angel that he was “greatly loved.” If you did a search for the word “love” on Bible Gateway, you would find 28 pages of verses! It is a study well worth doing.
I’ve known about and experienced God’s love for a long time. But today I was thinking a little outside the lines. I know God loves me. He showed me again today in a tangible way just how much and how vast His love is for me. What grace! What understanding and forgiveness! But then He reminded me of how in even the smallest ways He shares His love with us. Those of us who exercise our creative side (we are all creative in some way, but not everyone uses that ability) – imagine with me for a moment sharing your greatest creation with those you love. Can’t you see God doing the same?
I pulled out some cocoa spiced tea today and made a cup. The scent was strong because of the spices. The aroma tantalized me, and I realized how much I love spice! When I pick a stalk of basil or mint or rosemary from my garden, the aromas are strong, and when I breathe them in deeply, I want to laugh! Is that silly? But doesn’t scent make us happy? Scent is powerful at evoking emotion, both good and bad. But a loving Creator created spices just to give us good things to taste. Can you imagine sitting down to a meal with our Creator? What aromas! I don’t think our human tastebuds in these earthly bodies can begin to imagine the tastes we will experience in the next life. For those who love Jesus, God has planned “immeasurably more than we could ask or imagine!”
We are having an absolutely gorgeous day here in Michigan. I love summer’s sun on my face, the whisper of wind in the trees, the chirping of birds and cicadas, and the way bunnies and squirrels bounce across the lawn. The sun is like a kiss, and the birds and bugs sing their choruses like the greatest musicians on earth. Animals romp and play, reminding us to do the same, and when they leave a half-eaten bagel or apple on our windowsill, how can we help but smile?
What does God love? I think He loves to bless us. He loves to give us presents, and He does it so well, utilizing all of the senses – sight, smell, taste, touch, hearing, and that sixth sense that tells us He is there even when we can’t see Him. That “faith” sense where love, joy, peace, and hope reside.
God is love and love comes from God. Everything in nature testifies to that fact. We just need to allow ourselves to savor the things He’s given. A taste of the future He’s planned for us.
“Oh taste and see that the Lord is good!”
Selah~
