“Love Matters”

God told them, “I’ve never quit loving you and never will. Expect love, love, and more love!” Jeremiah 31:3 in The Message

If the truths of God’s word, the Bible, are true for you just as they were for his chosen people, the Israelites, which they are, then this message of love is sent to you as well. So, read it again and again and again. Father God, the creator of heaven and earth and everything in between, loves you.

So what?

I suppose that is a question worthy of your thought. For me, I have decided that love matters. Love matters in my marriage. Love matters with my friends. Love matters in my family. Love matters in my relationships at work and school. Love matters at recess. Love even matters with the results of the day that I watch on CNN.

My husband, Ron, woke up with a John Denver song in his head the other morning. I believe that Father God was singing it over Ron just to remind him of how much he loves him. Now, you might think that is silly or you might not take John Denver too seriously, but just listen to these words. The song is called “Annie’s Song” and the chorus goes like this if you aren’t already singing it –

“Come let me love you, let me give my life to you,

let me drown in your laughter, let me die in your arms,

let me lay down beside you, let me always be with you.

Come let me love you, come love me again.”

Can you imagine a love like that? Now, can you imagine a Father God loving you like that? The creator of heaven and earth and everything in between – how is that possible? But it is true. He did give his life for you through Jesus. Read the powerful story in John 14-21. He does promise to always be with you. Read Deuteronomy 31:6. And his love – he promises his love to you every chance that he gets – Read his words to you in Hosea, Zephaniah 3, John 10, Luke 15 and 1 John 3 to just name a few. Since the beginning of time, Father God has decided love matters. And in the words of John Denver, believe it or not, he sings to us all – “come let me love you, let me give my life to you.” I think that is just crazy wonderful, don’t you? Live in this love and find rest.

So here are some questions, some conversation starters for your family:
1. Around the table this month, read the listed references. Talk about the picture of love you see in these verses. For those younger, perhaps you can draw pictures of the love you see.

2. How does Father God illustrate this verse from Denver’s song – “Come let me love you, let me give my life to you?”

3. What does this love require of us?

4. How does love become part of our character?

Adventure as a family:

– Watch John Denver sing Annie’s Song on YouTube. As you listen, consider the furious love of God.

– The month, keep a running list on your refrigerator of “love in action!” Watch for examples of “giving your life” to others – that is love! It can be Father God sending you a story or verse from a friend that was exactly what you needed to hear. It can be your brother giving you a high five after you schooled him on the basketball court. It can be your sister letting you borrow the jacket she was going to wear. It can be your mom praying over you at night before you go to bed. It can be your dad sitting with you on the couch and listening to the events of your day. It can be your whole family going to a local mission and helping out for a few hours one afternoon. It could even be “love in action” that you read in the Bible or newspaper or see on TV. Father God and his “love in action” is all around us, day after day, detail after details – Watch and wait, anticipate, articulate and celebrate LOVE!