I think it started Tuesday.. I’m not too sure. All I’m sure of is that I’ve been feeling spiritually dry. It’s not like I lost desire to seek Him. It’s just that my flesh was resisting receiving from Him. There was a laziness that came about me as well that aggravated me. Thank God I stumbled upon one of my favorite Pastor’s sermons. The message was entitled “The One You Love” and the pastor was Judah Smith. I love his teachings and books. Incredible insight on who God is.

Anyway, in this sermon, Judah read from John 11. It’s the story of Lazarus. Mary and Martha sent a note to Jesus telling Him to come quickly because “the one you love [Lazarus] is sick.” And Jesus came when He heard the condition Lazarus was in. He cried. He cried because the one He loves had died. Judah pointed out that in the note to Jesus, they persuaded Him by telling Him about the person He loved, not about the person who loved Him. They didn’t say “Lazarus is ill. He loves You, Jesus. Come do what You can.” Nah, they were like “Yo, you love this guy. He’s sick.” Like the way to get His attention is by realizing it was never about you, but it was always about Him. It’s been about Him since the dawn of time.But since the dawn of time, the people He loves, have not always reciprocated. And they don’t have to! They should, but God has never obligated them to love Him back. What is love without the chance for choice?

I am left stunned after hearing such a message. I cannot and will never fathom His love for me. His love is too great, too deep, too wide, too irrational, and too illogical. This is what the Gospel is about. The Gospel is about His love for humanity, not humanity’s love for God. Judah Smith broke down John 3:16… “For God so loved the world, that He gave His one and only begotten Son, that whosoever believes in Him shall not perish but have everlasting life.” Judah broke it down like this: “For God is obsessed with people that He sent His Son for whoever, anyone, it didn’t matter who.”

I don’t know about you, but when I think about it, I am so mind blown!!! I cannot have any other response than to fall deeper in love with Him. But again, it’s not about my love for Him. It’s about His love for me. His love remains. I do not need to reciprocate for Him to love me and continue to love me. His love is not based on reciprocation. He loves me whether or not I choose to love Him back. He loves me so much He gave His only Son for me. He let His Son die so that I may live and be part of His family! He has called me His child. I am so greatly loved!! I am elated!! I am thrilled!! I am ecstatic!! I am filled with joy!! He loves me relentlessly. He is in constant pursuit of me! And the same can be said for you!! If that isn’t GOOD NEWS, I don’t know what it is!!!!

“And I pray that you and all God’s holy people will have the power to understand the greatness of Christ’s love—how wide and how long and how high and how deep that love is. Christ’s love is greater than anyone can ever know, but I pray that you will be able to know that love. Then you can be filled with the fullness of God.” [Ephesians 3:18-19]