love of God

it is a nice evening. I'm sitting outside at a coffe shop in Phoenix, just enjoying the breeze. The warm summer is around the corner and it's essential to enjoy the pleasant valley weather before it gives way to 115 degree temperatures.

And I'm just amazed by the love of God. It is such a foreign concept. When I think about it, I can get a little confused. Me, as a human, give love for concrete reasons. I see a movie and afterwards I decide whether I like it or not. Love is based on performance. When my favorite tennis player plays a great match, I love him. However, when they play a lousy match, my thoughts change.

God's love is unlike this version that we use on earth. God loved me first. He loved me, not for doing anything special or hooking Him up with a good cell phone deal.

God's love for me is not based on anything I've done. In fact, I can't earn it anymore than He already gives. He made me and loves me, plain and simple.

God's love requires commitment. God is committed to me. Through my deepest moments, God continues with me. He doesn't bail. He doesn't run away. Although I reject Him sometimes, He sticks with me. He seeks me out when I don't seek him.

God calls first, always.

God always responds to my e-mails, and not just some one word response.

God's love has the boldness to be frank with me. He values my growth and wants me to walk in that direction.

God's loves listens to my hurts and rejoices when I delight.

His love contains forgiveness, grace, mercy, encouragement, correction, persistence, abundance, hope, intrigue, and laughter.

I want my love to be like that. That I would love others in the way that God loves me. I want my friendships, work relationships, and eventually my marriage to look like this.

I'm not there yet, but I'm moving there. Day by day.

Look around you and see God's love. It's there, in the small things.

Josh Kienzle
Phoenix, Arizona
February 2, 2006