He Desires Love

Everyone (who, of course, lives in Kansas City and goes to the International House of Prayer) knows the familiar Misty Edwards lyrics: "I was made to love You and be loved by You."

We were made to love God.

If you are anything like me, you focus on God's love for you. "I want to feel God's love! I want to know God's love!" That is an awesome desire, and it is one the Lord has placed on my heart. But last night, I was chatting with Jesus (while I was dozing off; I often find myself talking to God in my sleep). He told me that he desired MY affections! SKIRP? That's intense. Jesus desires my affections? What does that even mean?

I have always been told that Jesus does not need my love. He is God; He doesn't need anything. He does not need friendship, and He does not need me. But how contrary to the cross! Jesus was not finished when He stepped foot (or maybe he floated) out of the tomb. Delivering mankind from eternal damnation was not the only agenda on the King's heart. He calls us to a deep friendship (cf. John 15:14). Friendship is not one-way. Not only do we yearn for affection and affirmation from Christ, but He desires the same.

That baffles me. How can God desire my affection? How can I show God I love Him?

Obedience
John 15:14, Jesus says, "If you love me, you will keep my commandments."

Faith
Hebrews 11:6, "Without faith, it is impossible to please God..."

Quality Time
I was researching the five love languages recently. I believe Jesus' love language is quality time. Why? Because He desires His people, His friends, to spend time with Him. Jesus made Himself an example, one of which we would be wise to heed and follow. The Messiah would spend much time praying, even if it took all night. We can infer Jesus desired be connected to the Father, to hear His will and worship Him. God loved the time He spent with His Song. God longed for intimacy with His Son; why shouldn't He feel the same toward us?

It is in the secret place we are transformed. It is in this place we hear God and learn to worship Him rightly. It is in the secret place we can lavish our love on our glorious Creator.

Utilizing What God Has Given Us
I truly believe our talents bring joy to God. When we do what we were created to do, and give the glory to God while doing those things, our heavenly Father could not be happier. Even as I am typing this in my free time, I believe God is overjoyed. I am loving Him by writing. One of the things God designed me with is the passion to write. It does not matter what I write (even those awful research papers); I love the way words flow together. When I write to glorify God, I am loving Him. I am showing Him my affection by utilizing my passions and gifts to worship Him.

I have friends who show their love to God by painting or creating music. Although some of us are not gifted in those areas, just using what God has given you for His glory is awesome. He loves it.

Just Loving Him
We've all heard the phrase, "Love the Lord with all your heart, soul, mind, and strength." Perhaps it is cliché, but it is powerful. Have you ever wondered what it looks like to just sit and love God? David did it all the time! He would sit and wait on the Lord. In these times, David is a great example of how to sit and love God. If you have never tried it, I dare you to make time to sit and just love Him, forgetting your daily tasks and what you need to buy at the grocery store the next day. Just love Him.

So, you might ask, what is the point in doing these things?

There is Kingdom value in loving Jesus. He honors the one who sits at His feet versus the one who won't listen because he or she is too busy with ministry, or the simple activities of daily living.

As Misty Edwards simply put it, "I was made to love you." Will you love God and show Him your affection?