And we all, who with unveiled faces contemplate the Lord’s glory, are being transformed into his image with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit. 2 Corinthians 3:18
Love is an indefinable quality. We can describe it, yet can never capture its true essence. This can only be encountered through experience. What’s more, love is never static. It is either growing or dying. As a wiser and older friend once said to me, ‘If I loved my wife today the same as I loved her on the day we got married, my marriage would be on the rocks.’
We can never take love for granted, and this includes God’s love. Much like the sun God’s love is always there, yet there are times when cloud obscures it and the weather surrounding us is distinctly unpleasant.
Walking in the Lake District and making an ascent on one of its many fells, it’s all too easy to lose one’s way as the peak passes in and out of sight. A map to guide one’s ascent proves essential. So it is with learning to love God more dearly. It’s easy to take God’s love for granted and presume on God’s promise. Then we grow frustrated when it appears God’s abandoned us.
The way to deepen my love for God is to follow the guide, in this case the Bible illuminated by the Holy Spirit. This is the key reason why it’s a healthy practice to read and listen to Scripture daily.
As I learn more about God’s sacrifice and grace, my love for God and desire to serve grows, just as when I take time to get to know my wife, my understanding, appreciation and ability to serve her develops.
There can be no spiritual formation apart from God’s Word, for this is the mirror into which we gaze that we might grow closer to God and become more like Jesus in the way we express ourselves in everyday life.
Something to Consider: Is reading the Bible like reading a love letter? If not, are there changes you need to make in your approach to Scripture?
An Action to Take: Encounter God afresh as Anne Le Tissier explores how being consistently open to God will release us to fulfil our God-given potential and enable us to experience the fullness of the Spirit in our everyday life.
A Prayer to Make: ‘Lord, as I gaze upon Your face may I be transformed daily into Your life and realise my purpose.’
Photo by Nick Scheerbart on Unsplash
Used with Permission
