Loving God Beyond Imagination

"Whoever claims to love God yet hates a brother or sister is a liar. For whoever does not love their brother and sister, whom they've seen, cannot love God, whom they've not seen." — 1 John 4:20

I love Alaska. The beauty. The grandness of the mountains and the ocean. Kayaking with the whales. Hiking back-country to fish the rivers for trout as they make their way to spawning grounds. Waking up on a schooner to crisp, cool air and looking out on glaciers in the distance. I love Alaska.

Now what if I confessed—I've never been to Alaska. I've seen pictures and movies and dreamed of such things, but I've never been. I guess you could say I love my imagination of Alaska, but can I really love Alaska if I haven't been there? Still, just reading what I wrote above, it feels like I love Alaska. (Smile)

What if loving God is like that? What if to truly love God I have to go past my imagination and into experiences with Him? What if loving God means joining Him in what He loves? What if it means laying aside my imaginations and stepping into life with Him loving others? What if it means sacrificing my fleshly comfort so He can do what He loves to do through me... As me.

Let's pray.

Almighty God forgive me for where I love my comfort more than I love You. Holy Spirit lead me deeper into real love today. Jesus, take over my life. I give You access to do what You love to do... As me. Amen.

The Love of God operating through you and me to do what He loves to do. Wow! What do you think? Y'all ready for that? Good. Me too. Come on then. Let's Go!