Learning to Love God



Intro:  When I started this essay I titled it “Why I Chose to Love God.”  I soon realized that the word “Chose” put the decision to love God in the past tense.  His love for us is without beginning or end.  Our love for Him should be ongoing as well.   Then I changed the name to “Why I Choose to Love God.”  Again, something didn’t sound quite right.  I do choose to love God but there are certain aspects of my life that show I do not yet totally love God.  I still want to be the little “g,” that is the little god of some areas of my life.  These are the areas I have yet to surrender to the love and care of a sovereign God.  So now the title is “Learning to Love God,” for that is what I am doing.  Every day I am mindful of this, I am learning to love God.



It seems it should be easy to love the One who has such wonderful love for us and has done so much for us along with His unbounded mercy and grace.  Consider His plan to crucify His own Son for our redemption.  Consider His daily care through the Holy Spirit.  Consider His boundless river of blessings He brings into our lives. 



It’s been a long journey learning to love God.  I’ve been a believer most of my 72 years but much to my regret I am a sinner not always doing what is best for those around me or for myself.  As much as I loved my parents I didn’t always obey them.  Sometimes I did what I wanted, not what would have been best for me.  But they loved me still. 



Being a sinner, my relationship with God is marked with the same misbehavior/rebellion as it was with my parents.  I have my selfish desires, my wants, and my ego-centric wishes that are not a part of God’s plan for my life.  But God loves me still.



I’ve heard it said that each day we make a decision to love our spouse.  That makes sense.  It also makes sense that each day we make a decision to love God.



I admit that I am a sinner because even though I want to follow his commands I don’t always.  Sometimes I fall short and sin.  Without lying, I can say that I am trying to get to know him and learning to love him.



Matt. 22:37-39 And He said to him, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.  



I do love God but….



I recently heard it asked, “How does an imperfect human love a perfect God?”



We just do.