Loving like God

A few years ago, I felt challenged by God to love someone like He loves them. This person was acting very "unlovable" at the time. I had some assumptions about how loving them like this would look. What I assumed I would do was that no matter how they treated me I would be kind, be there for them, and lavish them with whatever loving thing that I could think of. While that is not completely wrong, I have learned that the love of God is so much more than that. And that I am so very grateful that it is more.

I know I didn't do it perfectly. I'm human and my own emotions and hurt feelings get in the way. Even though painful at times, it has changed my heart and helped me in how I am able to understand God's love for me. I recognized so many of my mistakes in how I view God, when I was able to see them mirrored in another's behavior.

The person I referred to earlier, ignored me and misunderstood me, treated me coldly, when I had offered care and concern. It nearly took my breath away, when I realized I had been doing the same thing to God. I had been thinking that I am just too hurt for Him to possibly understand what I was going through. He was distant, uncaring. It sounds absurd to put into words like that, but that's it. I realized that is not the truth. Is it possible that His heart was just as broken by my grief as it was when I turned inward instead of to Him?

This person made poor decisions and had wrong attitudes, but I wasn't able to say anything about it because I didn't have permission. Even if it would save heartache and loss, I wouldn't be heard unless they had asked the question of me. God does the same for us. I go about my life, but shake my fists at God when despair comes. I ask for general wisdom, but is my heart open and ready for answers if I ask a question. Do I actually want to hear "No, you are not doing the right thing." Ouch.


At first when I was ignored, I made an effort to be there constantly. After all, doesn't the bible say that God "never leaves or forsakes us" ? So, if that is my model, my voice should always be an echo in the background "I'm always here for you."  Right?

I realized that is NOT the way God is with us. Yes, He is always there when we turn to Him. He is NOT, however, like a desperate slobbering dog, craving whatever little attention we will throw His way. Would you want to love a God like that, or even a friend like that? He is always there, but allows us to come to him. He does not NEED me, but he does WANT me.

I had many good conversations with this person, mostly about their life, joys and sorrows, hopes and dreams. I felt loved to hear all of these things and I know they felt loved to be heard. I also was hurt because there was a lack of interest in those same things in my own life. Again, I learned something. I am so grateful for a God who hears me and knows me, to whom I can pour out my heart. Unfortunately, I often stop there. How much of His love am I missing out on because I fail to KNOW HIM. When one person shares his or her heart and life, it is not just the sharer that benefits. The listener is likely to feel loved as well by the act of someone confiding in them. To know and be known, that is where I am truly loved. Is God so different? He knows us in and out already, but still wants us to share our hearts with Him. It is also an act of love for us to want Him to share His great heart with us. We are able to know His love in a deeper way by knowing Him.