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His love endures forever. The love that God has for us is far greater than we could ever imagine. His love is like no other that we have ever experienced. His love is unshakable, immovable, fixed, and unchangeable. There is nothing we can do that will ever change the love that God has for us.

As we read through the Scriptures, we witness what God has done and will do for each one of us. He loved us so much that He gave us His one and only Son. To die on the cross for our sins. Have you ever heard someone say “I just want someone who would die for me”? The thing is, someone already has and His name is Jesus. Don’t look to the world for love. Look up to our Heavenly Father for what true love is and how true love feels. We can get so wrapped up in the “feels” of earthly love that we forget that true love is action. God put into motion His Son, not just for those of His time over 2000 years ago. But for you and me, and everyone else who would accept Him as their Lord and Savior. He sent His Son so that we may live.   

In this life, you might get disappointed, hurt, or even heartbroken. You might be made to feel less than or less than loved. But don’t forget you are fiercely loved by God. He will never leave you. He is always with you. If you press into Him, He will press right back into you. God is the one you should turn to in all things. He is your source of strength, courage, peace, and love. Now don’t get me wrong. Having someone that you can turn to, that you can lean on, that you can say I love you to is absolutely wonderful. For example, a spouse, a child, a mother or father, a sister or brother, and even your best friend. Just remember that they are an added bonus. A gift from the Lord Himself. So cherish them, pray for them and love them as fiercely as you can. God teaches you how to love. You just need to follow His example in just how to do that.

Ephesians 3:17-19 (NIV) “so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the Lord’s holy people, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge—that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.”

Paul hopes that Jesus’ followers could grasp and understand the depth and breadth of Christ’s love for them. That when Christ dwells in your hearts, in turn, you would be rooted and established in love. Let’s take a moment to look at how a plant is rooted in the ground. Being rooted serves two major functions. One, as the plant grows its roots grow downward, they grab hold and anchor themselves to one spot. However, there might be objects such as rocks, or clumps of clay that the roots have to move around to find the right spot to anchor to. Second, the roots of the plant are used to nourish and sustain the plant as it grows. Once these have occurred the plant is rooted and then grounded, as some translations say, or established. How might this translate over to you and Christ’s love for you? Let me explain. Your faith is like the roots of the plant. Once you accept Christ into your heart and life, the seed begins to grow. As the seed grows, the roots start to extend throughout you. Deep into your soul, into your mind, and into your heart. The objects that you might have to move around are sin, earthly desires, and perhaps certain people. But once you find your anchor, Jesus, you hold firmly to Him. He is your lifeline, your nourishment. “but whoever drinks the water I give them will never thirst. Indeed, the water I give them will become in them a spring of water welling up to eternal life.” John 4:14 (NIV). He is what sustains you. And as your roots grow, your faith grows. As your faith grows, it becomes established and grounded in who God is. In His love for you. Jesus says, “I am the true vine, and My Father is the gardener” John 15:1 (NIV). So beautiful, God carefully tends to your needs. He cuts off that which is not bearing any fruit to produce more fruit in you. “No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in Me” John 15:4 (NIV) Our roots cannot grow unless we remain in Him. “Remain in My love,” says Jesus. soul, into your minds.

Jesus goes on to say “I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete” John 15:11 (NIV). I have read this verse many times over however today I saw it. Our joy is not our own. Jesus’ joy is what lives inside of us. Without Jesus, our joy is not complete. Jesus’ joy enters in and compliments our own. It intensifies our joy in knowing who He is and having the knowledge that we are walking right alongside Him. We cannot experience this type of sweet joy aside from Christ. All we have to do is to abide in His love.

“Jesus replies, “Anyone who loves me will obey my teaching. My Father will love them, and we will come to them and make our home with them” John 14:23 (NIV)

“We will come to them and make our home with them”. God, Jesus, and the Holy Spirit reside in you. They have taken up residence within you. Within your home, your life, in each and every moment of each and every day. The love that they have for you to purposefully and intentionally make their home with you is huge. A response to your obedience to them. God loves you so very much, but He will never force His love on you. You get to decide if you are going to allow Him to move in. God is ready, He is willing, and He is able. His love for you is never-ending. His love for you is unconditional. God’s love for you is perfect and complete.

Michele Arnold