Let me tell you a story.
I remember when telling God "I love you" felt like a lie more than anything else. I knew it. He definitely knew it. And each time I said it, I kept on feeling like a fraud. What choice did I have though? We're supposed to love God above everything else, right? So why was my own case different? Why did the feeling of love for God not just fall on me? Abi the heavenly angels in charge of that task were sleeping on duty?
But as they dinnor show, what's a girl gonna do? Is it not to carry go that remains bayi? Or, when others are singing 'I love you forever, I love you forever, I love you forever Lord', I shuu na keep quiet? Of course not.
Ever come across the point in the Bible where the first and greatest commandment is mentioned? You shall love the Lord your God, with all of your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind. (Matt 22:37 NKJV) That means basically with everything that you have. Why do you think this is the first one that's mentioned by Jesus?
Because this is the foundation upon which other things about our faith are built. It is genuine love for God that paves the way for the fulfilment of all the others.
So yes, I knew God loved me. But it wasn't enough. If this is you, it won't be enough too. Because it's like breathing in without breathing out.
This Love that God continues to stretch towards us is not supposed to be one-sided. It places a premium of reciprocity on all those who accept His love. Because intimacy doesn't function with only one partner.
So of course it wasn't sustainable to ignore the fact that I didn't love God. I felt duty towards Him, yes because well duh, He's God and He's much more powerful than I am. But delight? Not at all. And do you know why it was like this for me?
It's simple, I didn't KNOW God. You can't love a stranger because you haven't found what it is about them to love. And for God, trust me there's a whole lot to discover.
God doesn't want you to be stuck in a rut. Religious in nature or not, He doesn't want to keep you suspended in a place where you can't truly move forward with him, yet you're not going back. He doesn't just need foot soldiers who do what they're told, he also needs sons who genuinely care about the Father. Sons who inquire of the Father's Heart, then business.
Shey you know that just as He is Father, God is also Lover and Friend. He wants to be that to every one of His children. To YOU that's reading this.
Trust me, this cannot be overstressed. Why do you think this whole journey of walking with God begins with a choice? God didn't exert His supremacy and make everyone automatically in love with him, because the very premise of love is hinged on your ability to choose. You first accept Jesus's sacrifice which renders you eligible to be a part of God's family and experience communion with Him, then you begin to build a relationship with Him for the rest of your life.
The moment I became interested in asking questions like what does it mean to love God; can God help me to love Him, among others. That was when things really started to switch up. One day, it just slipped out when I was praying. Lord, help me to love you. I want to discover you and discover what it means to love you. I want you to give me butterflies in my belly. I want you to intoxicate me so much so that I lose myself in you. I want you to overwhelm all of my senses.
Daily, I see the answers to those prayers materialise. God can help you to love Him too; in fact, trust me when I tell you He'd be excited to. Understand that it's a whole journey and you won't arrive there one day; nor is there any guarantee that it'll be completely smooth, but the moment you step on the wagon, you will know deep within you that you have taken the right decision. It will keep getting better and better.
So what's the how?
Seek Him. God doesn't hide. 'And you will seek Me and find Me, when you search for Me with all your heart.' (Jer 29:13 NKJV)
Pursue Him. He has pursued you first, and He continues to do so, but you too have to show that you're invested in this relationship. So chase after Him. Set meetings with Him frequently. 'Toast' Him by showing up when you set a meeting with Him. And not just showing up to mark a register or keep a streak, but doing so with an open, hungry heart. Such that prayer isn't just about you but about Him and His heart. Show how intentional you are by studying His word, so you get to see how He has shown Himself to people like you time and time again.
The Bible is a whole blueprint to His character, to His nature and His intentions. You see different sides of God, being tender, being firm, being sarcastic (this blew my mind but check out God's dialogue with Job towards the latter ending of the book to catch it), and most of all, being consistent.
The more you pay attention, He will begin to open your eyes to see the mystery of who He truly is. And trust me, there's no how you won't like what you find. There's no how you won't fall in love. In His element, God really is the definition of irresistible.
So, the long and short of this is that God wants to be loved by you. Now that you know, what are you gonna do about it?
Mo's BTS Note
And I'm back with a bang!
Hello my faves. How've you been? I'm sure you're better now that you've heard from me right?🌚😌
So while I was still waiting on God as regards what content to serve you guys as I resume here, nothing was forthcoming at first so I just continued my break. Until earlier this week when God revealed His heart concerning what to write on. It came with such urgency that I had to come and post before our usual time Saturday time.
Was this timely for you? Did you learn something new? Would you like to add anything? Please, let me hear from you in the comments 🤗
Don't forget to like and share this as well. We'll be continuing with this theme for the subsequent post and as long as the Lord leads us. Are you excited? Me too🤭 Not sure if you can tell but this is something I'm really passionate about. You'd think I was God's advocate and not the other way around 😂
Last one, last one, my birthday is in a few days🎉 It's Sunday the 23rd. Though this is such a crazy busy week for me, so I'm not sure how early I'd be able to send out my birthday special. It's a miracle you guys are getting this edition at this time sef. Deadlines chokeee. But best believe you guys will be getting something nice because well, na HS dey run amm.
I'd be writing you as soon as I can,
Love always,
Mofeoluwa💚
P.S: Don't forget to subscribe if you haven't 😚 We're pretty awesome on this side of the net.
Wow wow wow!!
Aunty Mo ❤️ doesn't fail to drop hot hot contents. This is so beautiful ❤️. Giving everything giveable.
It's not enough that God loves us, we need to constantly love up on him. Thank you so much for this!
It's beautiful ❤️
Such a timely reminder.
More grace 🙌
This is so timely for me one so many levels because over quite a lengthy period I've been struggling spiritually to an extent, and this week i was just meditating on it and found out that my love for God really isn't where it used to be anymore, and I can't just will it back up.