Love God First

It feels like one more thing to check off your to-do list.

Something else accomplished today in a day full of things and more things and then some more.

We've heard the words all our lives, but they often seem robotic, rehearsed, rigid.

"Love one another."

Love is supposed to be this happy, giddy, gooey word. It's supposed to stir up feelings and emotions and pretty things.

This week before Valentine's Day, it's vibrantly displayed in advertising, in stores and in our conversations. What are you giving? What are you getting? Wow...you must love them a whole bunch.

But love isn't about puffy hearts or sparkling gems or boxes of chocolate.

Love is a verb. It's an action that we choose to make on a minute-by-minute, hour-by-hour, day-by-day basis.

Love is when a woman honors her husband, serves her family and makes home a wonderful place to be.

Love is when a man leads his home, treats his wife with respect and provides all the things a house needs to be a home.

Love is when church family come together to worship, help one another and give support in the midst of messy, real-world problems.

These are all acts of love, but perhaps we've put the cart before the horse.

But as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him. 1 Corinthians 2:9

Before we can truly pass on pure, unadulterated love to any human being on earth, we have to love God. If our motives are anything but obedience to the Lord and treating one another as Christ would if He were here right this moment, it's not true love.

It is a joy for husband and wife to demonstrate love for one another, but it means nothing if God is not in the midst.

It is sweet for church members to reach out to one another, but it falls short if it's not a reflection of their love for the Lord.

We see things and heart things and feel things that come from God's love for us in a much different light. We could never imagine what His love could do when it is passed along. Human love is no match for the great and mighty love of our heavenly Father.

The Spirit reveals these treasures to us, we finally understand that our love for God was just the first step. By placing Him first and waiting for the time of revealing, we're blessed beyond measure by things we didn't even imagine He could give.

He has prepared something special, something amazing and awe-inspiring for those who love Him. As we grasp this love, we can't help but pass it on. It's a gift that we just can't keep to ourselves.

And what a wonderful Valentine's Day gift that would be.

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