Day 30

It’s always been amazing to me how many songs, movies, poems, and books revolve around the theme of Love. Everywhere you look, people are talking about Love, singing about Love, and writing about Love. In terms of impact and importance, I can’t think of any other topic or emotion that even comes close in popularity.

This shouldn’t be a surprise, though. “God is love,” John wrote (1 John 4:8, 16), and we were created in His Image. Therefore Love is both a natural and a divine thing. It connects us to God, and when we love, we reveal God.

When asked what the Greatest Commandment is, Jesus responded in Matthew 22:37–39,

“‘You must love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, and all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment. A second is equally important: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’

Notice how complete and holistic the First Commandment is: “with all your heart, all your soul, and all your mind.” God desires an intimate, loving relationship with you that goes beyond mere words or rituals and extends to the core of your being. This is why the prayer “Jesus, I love You” holds such power. These words convey that your entire life is surrendered in love and trust to Him.

The fact that Jesus summed up all the commands under these two things—Love God and Love others—is very revealing. Love seems to lie at the center of our being and of our connections. Love is not just a peripheral detail, a luxury, or a nice thought. It’s essential to our health and wellbeing. Love, similar to gratitude, triggers the release of important hormones such as serotonin, which plays a crucial role in stabilizing our mood, promoting a sense of well-being and happiness, and positively affecting our sleep, eating, and digestion. You were created with a physical, mental, and emotional need to dwell in Love.

This morning, take some time to make Love a focus of your prayers. First, reflect on God’s Love toward you. Then, consider your love toward God and others. Allow the presence of God (who is Love, remember!) to infuse you with His Heart. Pray, “Jesus, I love You,” and let a mutual expression of Love from God and toward God take center stage in your life.

Questions for Reflection

1. How does understanding that you were intentionally created in the Image of a Loving God affect your view of Love itself?
2. How would you describe your love for God? Are there ways in which you’d like that love to grow?
3. How can you share love with God and feel His Love for you?