The First Letter of John reminds us that God is love, and that love is real, down to earth, and practical. If we can’t love the people who are around us (especially those in our church family) then we can’t claim to love God, whom we can’t see. Love isn’t just a warm fuzzy feeling of well-being. It is kindness in action and attitude toward people who aren’t always nice and loving back. It’s doing what needs to be done, without visible reward and appreciation. That sort of love is strong and gutsy, and it needs a strong foundation for us to keep fronting up and working. The strong foundation for that bravery in each one of us comes from God.
Letting God love us is vital. John emphasizes that the direction is from God to us. We don’t have to earn God’s love or beg for it. It is there, no matter what. The clearest sign is that ‘he sent his Son to be the atoning sacrifice for our sins’ (1 John 4:10). That is so vital to hold onto, when shame or guilt, past memories or feeling inadequate flood us. Sometimes we need to do the equivalent of confession, and tell someone else who is trustworthy, or put something into writing. But then we need to trust that there is forgiveness, as someone calmly listens to us, or as we screw up that piece of paper and toss it. Sometimes we need to consciously take something that is burdening us into the hour of worship, ask for help, and then trust that the Holy Spirit will give us the right words, the right song, the right prayer, the healing moment at the altar while we receive communion or the right blessing that restores us.
How do you let God show love to you? You will have any number of ways that work for you, from being attentive during your own devotional reading or prayer time, to taking a moment to be aware of everything that you are grateful for. It will be through healthy interactions with the people around you. Perhaps you consciously need to ask again for that love in prayer, rather than always focusing on being there for others, and constantly giving out. Then, take a gentle walk, get in the garden or the local park, cuddle the cat, do some simple cooking, or read an old favourite. Whatever works for you is exactly the right thing to do. Being loved can work during any moment, from making the bed to doing the washing.
