Sometimes I marvel that God allows us to love and be loved here on this earth. There is no greater joy than to have someone tell you that they love you. When we hear it for the first time from a future mate, our hearts pound a little faster and we feel as light as a feather with happiness. When we hear it from our children, for the first time without our encouraging them to say it, our hearts are full and feel blessed and then for those of us who are grandparents, when one of our grandchildren looks at us and says “I love you”, oh my word, what joy comes our way!

God did not have to give us these feelings of love and the capacity to be loved and give love. It came from the treasure chest of his great love for us. God is love. It was his love that caused him to form the earth and skies. Which we read about in the first few chapters of Genesis. It was his love that compelled him to send his only begotten son to die on the cross for the sins of the world.

1 John 4:9-12 “This is how God showed his love among us: He sent his one and only Son into the world that we might live through him. This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins. Dear friends, since God so loved us, we also ought to love one another.No one has ever seen God; but if we love one another, God lives in us and his love is made complete in us.”

It was his great love that held him on the cross suffering such an agonizing death. It is his love that is patient with us and kind. God is longsuffering with us. 1 Peter 3:9 “The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. Instead, he is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.”

Psalm 86:15 “But You, O Lord, are a God merciful and gracious, Slow to anger and abundant in lovingkindness and truth.”

Romans 2:4 “Or do you think lightly of the riches of His kindness and tolerance and patience, not knowing that the kindness of God leads you to repentance.”

We were created in His image in His likeness. We were given the gift of being able to love and to be loved. The greatest of these gifts was Jesus, but the people we have been given as family and friends are truly wonderful gifts just waiting to be loved and in most cases give love. Learn to love others more than self, let it cost you something to love someone. Reach out with hands and a heart of Jesus to a lost and dying world. Embrace those close to you and go out of your way to say”I love you,” but also to show it.
Love is an action word so get busy showing love. God’s love was an action word…He physically died on a cross for you and me. We may never be called on to lay down our lives literally, but we should lay down our lives metaphorically speaking, daily!

And when someone one gives you love from their treasure chest, smile and know that it is a gift worth keeping and sharing. Walk out your love for your fellow man in tangible ways, it may not seem to be making a difference, but trust me it does! Not only on earth, but it is registered in Heaven because God is watching and He sees all those things done in secret and out in the open.

Thank you, Lord for Love…what a wonderful treasure you have given to us!