You couldn't tell me I didn't love God!

I had served in my local church since the age of 13 in so many different capacities. I tithed as much as I could although some weeks were hard. I had gone through the salvation process at least 3-4 times just to make sure it took. Most importantly I had eliminated a lot of what I considered , “The Big Sins" in my life and I was a work in progress with the rest.

After getting married I was highly committed to God and the things of God - my life was full of God’s work. I was in church at least 2-3 times a week, calling members, serving, praying, preaching, doing what I knew pleased God. So I thought.

I was present at every event; funerals, naming, weddings, etc... If showing up and doing things was what equated to the love of God, I checked all the boxes. You couldn't tell me I didn't love God!

Until I had a conversation with my Husband regarding Jesus' final words in John 14 and 15.

_“My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you.” John 15:12_

The scripture took a different tone when I inserted my name in it.

Liz, Love each other, as I (God) has truly loved you, Liz!

Not the Ten Commandments, nor any complicated set of rules. Not even prioritizing church activities over everything that is important in my life.

But “Love each other as I have loved you.”

What hit me was that the degree I claimed to love God was measured by one thing only and that was the extent I loved people!

At that point, I had to ask some difficult questions:

1. Have I prioritized the people I serve or I was so focused on the doing I failed to see them?

2. Am I emotionally invested in others or I was just checking a box?

3. Am I holding a position because I want to serve people or it is for my personal importance?

4. Am I showing up for others so that they can show up for me?

5. Am I genuine?

6. Am I loving, truly?

Sadly, this notion of doing, doing, doing had sneaked into my home. Unfortunately, as spouses and parents it is very easy to get caught up in the daily routines without seeing the VIP's in our lives as VIP's!

In that moment I realized I did not know how to love. At least not the way it has been commanded.

I had to fundamentally transform the way Ioved!

My first obligation was to value and cherish people as God loves and cherishes me. (John 14:34)

I had to place people over church or any other institutional obligations or expectations.

This meant the eye contact was meaningful, the hand shakes were intentional, the hugs had to mean something. I couldn't just show up to check a box, I had to be present. The phone call was not just a to-do list item, but out of genuine interest. When I say "how are you," I must mean it. My text message should not be a way of getting you to come to church on Sunday, but truly a way to check on you and your family.

The Bible goes on to say,

"Dear friends, since God so loved us, we also ought to love one another. No one has ever seen God; but if we love one another, God lives in us and His love is made complete in us." (John 4:11-12)

Amen!

God's love for us is incomplete if we don't love the people around us genuinely! In fact, the evidence of God living in us was in how we show up meaningfully for others.

This morning, in humility please re-assess not just your relationships but the motives of your relationships. Like me, you must have been a Christian for a long time, and served in various capacities. But God is calling you to a place of authentic love and value for the people in your life. One authentic relationship is of greater value than one thousand shallow relationships. And in all things, let us demonstrate our love for God in how we love the people around us.

God richly bless you and have a lovely day.

Elizabeth Antwi
Grace Re-Defined
The Grace Movement

(Join the Grace Movement every Friday night for teachings and prayer!)