Most of us remember our first crush, right? So innocent and fresh, the exciting possibility that someone likes us - you know, in that way! In the busy hallways of our middle school, our bestie and top informant reports to us that indeed, the object of our infatuation just mentioned us. Yippie!
There is something so fulfilling with even just the idea of it, that someone we admire returns that value to us. It produces a big rush of confidence and self-worth. But alas, young love, however thrilling, was usually not sustainable - with the inevitable crash and burn.
Why such a classic epic failure amidst our young life drama? Well of course, we were too young and lacked the emotional know-how to navigate something so new, so complex, and so grown up! Love needs to be mature and measured over time to be successful, and mastering life and love comes with a long learning curve. Those infatuations were just the beginning - play-acting for what was to come.
Mature love is centered in our identity.
We all crave to be "discovered" and admired, esteemed and loved in an authentic way. That continues throughout our lives and certainly extends way past any romantic infatuation. And because of love's essential link to our identity - who we are, the proposition of trading affection and value is frightening. With any close relationship that deepens over time, there remains the threat of looking for an exit when it gets too intense, or just plain hard.
A spiritual comparison - connecting with our Heavenly Father.
Likely our lives after middle school just continue to be a love practice session. It's more of a full time job now, but we certainly aren't experts yet (okay, at least I am not). From those simple beginnings into adulthood, we're hoping to reach our full love-potential. It's the biblical commandment from Jesus to love God, ourselves, and others, and achieve the fruits of the spirit in the process. Love certainly permeates our DNA - physically and more importantly, spiritually.
So let's circle back around to that middle school crush. Our God really does like us. A lot! So cool! Yes I'm having fun with the comparison here - please join me in this! He is our ultimate admirer. He desperately wants to be in relationship with us. He doesn't want to just date us, he deeply desires a long and healthy relationship.
So not what, but WHO does God say we are (remember identity)? Here's a list from the scriptures. I invite you to read each one - slowly. Let them sink in and consider how each one applies to you. And certainly refer back to them when loving anyone, including yourself, seems so hard. Love is so rewarding!
We Are:
Wonderfully made, Psalm 139:14
Blessed, Ephesians 1:3
Complete, Colossians 2:10
Accepted, Ephesians 1:6
Loved, Jeremiah 31:3
Delightful, Zephaniah 3:17
Forgiven, Ephesians 1:7
Victorious, Philippians 4:13
Beautiful, Psalm 45:11
More than a conqueror, Romans 8:37
Chosen, Colossians 3:12
Holy, Colossians 3:12
Dearly loved, Colossians 3:12
God's handiwork, Ephesians 2:10
Worth fighting for, Exodus 14:14
Set free, Galatians 5:1 and Romans 8:12
Healed, Isaiah 53:5 and 1 Peter 2:24
Worth it, Romans 5:6-8
A new creation, 2 Corinthians 5:17
Royalty, 1 Peter 2:9
About the Author
Terry is a man in constant motion to explore new horizons. He has a thirst for new places and faces, and a deep love for the natural world - with a weakness for waterfalls and sunsets. All of this venturing out helps to both ground and inspire him, because it opens him up to people, with their vast, collective array of experiences, outlooks and responses.
He finds all of this fascinating and sees that it has encouraged the growth of something crucial in his Christian development: empathy and compassion toward his brothers and sisters on this planet.