What If You Don't Have to Earn It

I have noticed something over the years. Most people have no trouble believing that God loves other people.

We believe God loves children. We believe God loves our friends. We believe God loves people who are struggling. We believe God loves those who are hurting.

But when the conversation turns toward ourselves, something changes. Suddenly we begin adding conditions. "I know God loves me, but..." I know God loves me, but I should be doing better. I know God loves me, but I should have more faith. I know God loves me, but I still have doubts. I know God loves me, but I haven't accomplished enough. I know God loves me, but... The list can be endless.

Perhaps that is because most of us have spent our lives earning things.

·      Good grades.

·      Jobs.

·      Promotions.

·      Respect.

·      Success.

·      Approval.

Very little in life comes without effort. So it feels natural to assume that love works the same way.

Yet when I read the Gospels, I see Jesus moving toward people long before they have earned anything. The disciples certainly hadn't. They were still learning. Still stumbling. Still misunderstanding. Still becoming. And somehow they were loved every step of the way.

I wonder what would happen if we believed the same thing about ourselves. Not someday. Not after we improve. Not after we fix whatever feels unfinished. Today. Right now. As we are.

Perhaps the hardest spiritual lesson is not learning how to love God. Perhaps it is learning how deeply we are already loved.

Reflection QuestionWhat condition do you most often place on God's love for you?

What would it feel like to set that condition down?