Looking for Love

Have you ever wrestled with the thought of what it would be like to be unconditionally loved? Is that not the pursuit of every human being, to be loved completely?

If you don’t mind, I am going to quote a song by Audio Adrenaline from over 20 years ago, entitled “Who Do You Love?”

“Love love love
Thats what the world
And the people are in search of
Lovey dovey turtle dovey
Everybody's looking for that warm fuzzy”

The premise stated is the world and the people are in search of love. However they think the “love dovey turtle dove” and “warm fuzzy” is what love is. As long as the excitement, the thrill and the feelings are there then it must be love.

How sad our culture has become that love has been cheapened to represent a particular set of emotions and lacks the true depth of commitment and perseverance.  Even as I turned on the radio today I heard the comedian Kevin Hart making jokes about his divorce. The light hearted nature in which our society has treated the marriage covenant and the ease of divorce has shattered the expectations of finding the one relationship that is to be “for better or worse, in sickness and in death, till death do us part.”

The endless fear of rejection, the worry of “if they find out who I really am,” the anxiety of being alone all cause so much stress that people retreat into a mask. Open up the Instagram ap on your phone and take a look at what you see. People trying to make themselves look the way they want you to perceive them, but not the way things really are.

When society, media, celebrities, music, and movies become the source of defining true love and relationships, all become focused on personal happiness, the elusive feelings of being accepted and constant fears of being rejected, and the relationships are destined for failure. Yet God has not left us alone to figure out what love is.

Reflect on Psalm 139.

Kind David states it much more eloquently then I could ever hope to, so please take time to read it, slowly, meditatively and ask God to help you understand it. Yet I’d like to summarize briefly a few things.

God created you specifically, intimately and on purpose. God loves you and knows you better than you know yourself. You are wonderfully and beautifully made. No where you go and nothing you do can separate you from God’s presence and His love (Romans 8:38-39). Through the toughest of times, God is there. In the best of times, God is there. You are inexplicitly, unconditionally loved by God.

To take it further, Read Romans 5:8: God demonstrated His love in this, while we were still sinning against Him, running from Him and rebelling, Jesus died for us (paraphrased). Now that is unconditional love.

How would you feel if you knew someone loved you unconditionally? That would be so amazing! I’m an introvert by nature. I question everything in my head, way to much! Every interaction I have, I evaluate in my mind what that person thinks of me. I walk away sometimes sure of my conclusion that they don’t really love me, accept me or want me to be around. I’ve learned that self doubt is based on lies, fears and anxieties. Psalm 139 has been a huge help for me in my insecurities. But I’ve had to learn to shut off the conversation in my head at times. Yet when I know someone loves me, has my back and cares for me, it allows me to break out of my introverted shell and be myself. Yet when I’m not sure where I stand, I withdraw and hide.

Unconditional love allows freedom. We do not have to hide from God, He already knows your worst and still loves you. You cannot fool God by wearing a mask. The Good News is…you don’t have to! Jesus loves you so much that He died for you and offers a real relationship with the Father that is unconditional.

No matter where you run, no matter what sins you commit, no matter how dark your night seems to be, God’s love is greater, bigger and brighter. It is unconditional and it is free, but not cheap! In order for Him to tell you how much He loves you, Jesus had to die, BUT He rose again.

Right now you may not know the forgiveness of Jesus, the extent of the love of God. But you can! Admit that you are a sinner, which you cannot earn your way to God. Believe that Jesus is the way, the truth and the life. Trust that Jesus unconditionally loves you and accept His free offer of a relationship with Him. Talk to Him and tell Him what you believe.

You might believe in Jesus but are stuck in a sin. You have been trying to prove yourself, or pursue love in all the wrong places. Jesus wants to forgive you right now. Turn to Him and tell Him. He will never turn you away.

You are loved more than you could ever imagine, despite your sin and mess-ups. God knows you, loves you and invites you into an intimate, unconditional love relationship with Him.