We are always loved

Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord. Romans 8:35-39

Many people go to great lengths to find “love.” Some people pay a lot of money to find someone to love. Dating services, websites, apps, and match-making services are popping up all over the place, charging people lots of money to help them find “love.”  In some instances, love has become a commodity sold to the highest bidder.

This speaks of the significance of love for human existence. I believe humanity was created with an insatiable need to express love and an unquenchable thirst to receive love. We are a love-centered creature. This is because we were created in the image of the God of love who breathed Himself (love) into us and called us to live a life centered on love.

The good news is that we do not have to do anything extreme, pay any money, or tolerate any abuse to be loved. Today’s text reminds us that we are always loved. It confirms that we do not have to earn love, nor can we lose love. It teaches us that we are always loved, and nothing or no one can cancel God’s love for us. Notice what that includes: our past, our fears, our doubts, and our bad decisions. None of it has the power to cancel divine love. God does not love us in theory; He loves us personally, consistently, completely, and permanently.

Picture a child stumbling, failing, or wandering off course, yet the arms waiting for them never disappear, because love is omnipresent. Love does not shrink when we are weak or messy; it stays steady and constant. No matter the season, the mistake, or the distance, we are always loved.

Our mistakes can make us feel unworthy of God’s love. At times, other people (even loved ones) can make us feel unloved or unworthy of love. We may feel distant, but love has not moved. We may feel unworthy, but love has not reconsidered. We may feel forgotten, but love has not forgotten us. God’s love is not based on our perfection; it is based on His character. And His character does not change.

You don’t have to chase love. You just have to abide in God’s love. Don’t look to others to feel loved. Look to God who created you with love and made His love a permanent resident in your heart. You are always loved!

Reflection Question

Where have you been measuring your worth by performance instead of God’s unchanging love?

Prayer

Lord, help me believe that Your love for me is steady and secure, even when my emotions say otherwise. Teach me to live from the confidence of being deeply and eternally loved. Amen.