God is Love...
/In the fourth chapter of First John, we’re told that “God is love.” Drop the mic! That’s it! How did I not know that?
Growing up in a faith tradition that emphasized duty, responsibility, and obedience, I simply don’t remember being told this. God is love. Maybe somewhere along the line, as I was checking those boxes of doing the “right thing” and sitting in church every Sunday because it was expected…and I always did what was expected…someone may have taught that. God is love. But I don’t remember it. Maybe it settled somewhere in my head, but I know for sure it never reached my heart. But…
…As I began walking the recovery path, suddenly I understood! God is love. He loves me! He loved me as an addict to porn and sex, and was never ashamed of me. He’s seen it all, and He knows it all. And not just my Father. His Son, His Holy Spirit, and I believe, my Eternal Mother as well. They are each, and collectively, love.
I do not have to jump through hoops to earn Their love, and nothing I could possibly do could make Them love me less. What?! Really? Yes! And then, as I walked that path, I discovered that I’m much the same. I carry divine DNA, so…I’m love also? Yes! And I can choose every day to be love…or not.
This really is the bedrock of my recovery. That because of that Divine Love I have experienced and the Grace I have received, and continue to receive, I get to keep going. I get to look at every day as a new adventure, full of promise and new possibilities. I get to now continue in my faith tradition with fresh eyes, seeing things “as they really are.” I get to be a source of light and a source of love. I get to share the Grace I have received to others. And I get to love.
I am not love. Not yet. But…as I practice love very intentionally, I can hope to get better at it. Just a little at a time, and very imperfectly. Now I know this is all that is expected by Them…to reflect Their collective love for me. To live in it, to live with it, and to share it. When I screw that up…and I do!…it’s OK. All I can do perfectly is to not quit. Get up, dust myself off, and keep going on the path.
So as I celebrate Christmas this month, and the miracle of God choosing to live among us, and to be one of us, and to experience our fatigue, our hurt, our pain, our worry, and our struggle, I remember this…it happened only because of His love. Their collective love. This love and grace is my fuel for continuing recovery, and as I sometimes stumble, get tired, get discouraged, want to give up, I remember that love. It never dims, and never quits. We are loved. God IS love. Merry Christmas!
What next?
The next time you pray, just ask God how He feels about you? Ask, “Do You love me?”
As you study the scriptures, look for all the ways His love shows up.
As you live each day, intentionally look for ways He is showing up for you. Hint…You will always find what you are looking for.
By Chris, Guest Writer