Do You Really Love God?

Having a Christian blog can be challenging. I would love to only post flowery, feel good messages, but that can’t always happen. Sometimes we need a message to challenge us to change. This blog is meant to force you to do a heart check, and to challenge you to think about why you want God around. Do you really want Him? Is your love for Him unconditional? Or do you want His hand (the things He can do for you)?

I was driving in my car the other day and was in deep thought about my life. As Tasha Cobbs’, “You Still Love Me” blasted from my stereo tears began to flow. I was fully prepared to start a pity party/whining session with God about my life, and how I felt he wasn’t moving fast enough, or rewarding me with things I felt I deserved. Just as I was about to start my 5 year old tantrum, I heard the lyrics of the song, “Your love is unbelievable, your love is so amazing, your love is unconditional.” Then Tasha sang, “And we love you back.” My heart was instantly pricked, and I began to think about all the times God had loved me when I didn’t love Him. I recalled the endless times when I chose my job, a relationship, and even sleep over Him. Then the hard questions came, “Chavon do you really love God?” Is your ‘love’ for Him truly unconditional? If he never gave you another thing, would you still love Him? Do you serve Him because you love Him, or do you serve Him because of what He can do for you?”

In actuality, we all like to believe that we love God more than anything in this world. But, what happens when He tests our love for Him? What happens when He wakes you up at 2 am? Are you willing to get out of bed and pray? What if He tells you to quit your job and go into full-time ministry? What about when He tells you to stop sleeping with that man who you know is not husband? What happens when He tells you no? Sure, we can outwardly tell everyone and their mom that we rock with Jesus, but what is in your heart when it is just you and Him? Is your love for Him truly unconditional? If God never gave you another thing, would you still love Him?

I have to be completely honest; there were so many times that I treated God like Santa Claus. I bargained with him. I bartered my position making promises with Him like, “God if you do this, I will do that.” How unfair and one side was that relationship?!?!? God really just wanted all of me, and I just wanted what he could do for me! I knew that had to change, and I more importantly I WANTED it to change. So, during my quiet time, I stopped asking God for things. Instead, I thanked Him for simply allowing me to be in His presence. I thanked Him for loving me, and I asked Him to help me desire Him more than anything else.

Truthfully, if God never does anything else for me He has already done enough simply by saving me, forgiving me, loving me, and being faithful to me even when I was not faithful to Him. We have to remember that we are not entitled to God, but we are privileged to have Him.

Jesus provides the perfect example of loving God unconditionally and submitting to His will. Right before Jesus was captured to be crucified He was in tremendous aguish and agony over what was to come. The Bible says He prayed so fervently that He began to sweat blood! He was so distraught that his blood vessels literally burst! Then, Jesus made the most profound statement ever. He said, “Father, if you are willing, please take this cup of suffering away from me.” But, he went on to say, “NEVERTHELESS not my will, but thine, be done.” Jesus was telling the Lord, I don’t want to go through this, but nonetheless, I love you enough that even if you don’t deliver me, I will still serve you. I just want YOUR will for my life to be done.

What about you? Do you really love the Lord with all your heart, soul, strength, and mind as Luke 10:27 commands? It’s time to do an honest heart check.

Cheers to a Rescued Heart,