God's love

today's readings: 1 Sam 10:1-11:15, John 6:43-71, Psalm 107:1-43, Proverbs 15:1-3

some passages from the Bible are hard to understand. Jesus saying that we are going to eat His flesh and drink His blood. the reading from the Psalms where God causes things to go wrong in people's lives so they'll call on Him. but one tiny and enormous fact unlocks these verses... and the entire Bible.

God loves us. it's hard to grasp. but God, the creator of everything, loves each of us with a deep, passionate, powerful love. He deeply desires for us to love Him back. He is the passionate lover in all of the love stories you've ever read... and more. He is the original lover. He is primordial love. all of the loves of all time only point to the love that God has for us.

and He very desperately, painfully wants us to love Him back. He even commands it! our greatest commandment is to love God with all of our heart, mind, soul, and strength. He is up there.. out there... everywhere... and He's saying "I love you so much. Love me...."

when you realize this, everything in the Bible makes sense. it's just different stories, different examples, all pointing to how much God loves us and how much He wants us to love Him back.

please grow my love for You, God. You are amazing.