Every morning after I wake up I head into the bathroom to begin getting ready for the day. And every day when I make that trip Riley, my cat, follows me into the bathroom. When he realizes I\u2019ve committed to a location for a time he begins to ask for attention. It begins with him sitting on the floor behind me as I peer at my bleary image in the mirror contemplating shaving. Then, once I\u2019ve committed to said shaving, Riley jumps up on the counter to get closer to me so he can more strongly ask for attention. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
So I rub his head, pet his back, brush his fur…his appetite for love seems to be insatiable…for as long as I will pet him, Riley will revive the affection…and I love it! There are times I wonder if I could pet him so much his hair falls out because once he is in that affectionate mood he just soaks up all the love you can give him. Unfortunately, life, work and responsibilities call out to me and I can only give him a short period of attention \u2014 there is an ending to our \u201clove-session\u201d as I eat breakfast, gather my bag and coat and head out for the day…I have things TO DO!<\/p>\n\n\n\n
I\u2019m so glad God\u2019s love isn\u2019t like that…God doesn\u2019t have anything He\u2019d rather \u201cdo\u201d then show you absolute, infinite, focused, all-in, love. He isn\u2019t looking at a clock measuring when He needs to leave and then cutting off the affection to gather His things on His way to work. His love is 100% available and active ALL THE TIME!<\/p>\n\n\n\n
I once was sharing with a mentor of mine about my spiritual walk and relationship with God. I said, \u201cI just can\u2019t understand why God loves me.\u201d My mentor responded by saying that I was asking the wrong question…it isn\u2019t why or how can God love me. In fact, there is no question at all. God loves me because that is what He is: God IS love. He went on to say that to ask why God loves you is like asking why and orange tree bears oranges or an apple tree yields the fruit of apples. They do that because that is what they are. An orange tree won\u2019t bear apples and an apple tree won\u2019t bear oranges…they bear according to what they are. God IS LOVE therefore God cannot do anything BUT love. God loves ME. All of me! He created me. He knows me. And He loves me with an steadfast, secure, never-failing, never-ending, sacrificial, all-seeking, all-knowing, all-encompassing love. Nothing I can do can increase it. Nothing I ever do will decrease it. I cannot earn it. I cannot purchase it. I cannot outrun it. God\u2019s love is alway there.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
I love Riley. I love my wife WAY MORE…of course! But I cannot imagine dedicating my whole life to showing my wife (or Riley) love 100% of the time with 100% of my focus and 100% of my energy and 100% of my dedication. I\u2019ve tried to outlast Riley. On days off, when I have the time to kick-back I start to think that \u201ctoday will be the day I \u2018out-love\u2019 him.\u201d Yeah. Unless Riley gets distracted and runs off to play, I have not once yet been able to outlast him. And, when Riley does come back to me after he has played for a bit, I still shower him with affection. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Our desire for God\u2019s love will NEVER be greater than His desire, ability and action in loving us!<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n If I can do that for my cat…image how God is for us! God\u2019s love is 100% ALL THE TIME! Full strength \u2014 NEVER diluted. His love never leaves. He does not get distracted. God never decides, \u201cWell, she\u2019s run off again to be busy so I guess I\u2019ll get on with my days and do some chores.\u201d In fact, we are told in scripture that the very same quality and quantity of love God has in the Godhead between Father, Son and Holy Spirit is what He gives to us! In Jesus\u2019 priestly prayer for all who come to faith in him he says, <\/p>\n\n\n\n The glory that you have given me I have given to them, that they may be one even as we are one, I in them and you in me, that they may become perfectly one, so that the world may know that you sent me and loved them even as you loved me.<\/em> – John 17:22-23<\/p>\n\n\n\n If Christ is in us and we are in Christ, that means God is with us wherever we go! He is with us in our play…with us when we go to work. He is near to us in all we do because God never leaves us. When we turn to Him for love He is always there \u2014 always loving \u2014 always caring \u2014 always for us, cheering us on. His love is the real thing…it can be the air we breath. May you believe this, be encouraged and know incredible peace today as you rest in God\u2019s inexhaustible steadfast love for you.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cThe Real Thing\u201d by Vertical Worship<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n I’ve only seen a love full of conditions CHORUS:<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n Your love is the real thing \u2014 it’s a real thing Your grace is more than just an obligation Bridge:<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n It’s not complacent, it’s always chasing, it won’t abandon Your love is the real thing it’s a real thing There’s a place for me and it’s heavenly at the table with The King Every morning after I wake up I head into the bathroom to begin getting ready for the day. And every day when I make that trip Riley, my cat, follows me into the bathroom. When he realizes I\u2019ve committed to … Continue reading
Hiding with the fear that it can break
I’ve searched the world to get a taste of heaven
But all along it was heaven chasing me<\/p>\n\n\n\n
It’s the air I breathe
Your love it’s got a hold on me and it’s holding me
It is everything \u2014 it’s the real thing<\/em><\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n
You give without a promise of return
Your mercy looks beyond my reputation
For I belong in heaven’s destiny
For I belong in heaven’s destiny<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Jesus, Your love for me
Not disappointing, won’t leave me wanting, its overwhelming
Jesus, Your love for me
I know I need it, I know its worth it, the cross, it proves it
Jesus, Your love for me<\/em><\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n
It’s the air I breathe
Your love it’s got a hold on me and it’s holding me
It is everything it’s the real thing<\/p>\n\n\n\n
It’s the real thing<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"