I was dusting off the ol’ music folder on my computer the other day, listening to some songs I haven’t heard in a while. I came across one that I really enjoyed by Lauren Daigle called “Trust in You.” The course goes:
When You don’t move the mountains
I’m needing You to move
When You don’t part the waters
I wish I could walk through
When You don’t give the answers
As I cry out to You
I will trust, I will trust
I will trust in You
Lately I’ve been mentally chewing on the thought ‘Is our love to God as unconditional as His love to us?’ Scripture tells us the nothing can separate us from the love of God (Romans 8:38). But do things separate God from our love? These lyrics resounded in my mind with that thought. Our love for most things is conditional: I love pizza because it tastes good, I love gardening because it’s rewarding, I love movies because they’re entertaining. And as long as those things continue to provide those results, I will continue to provide that love. Do we subconsciously place conditions on our love for God just like we place conditions on our love for other things: I love God because of His blessings.
We often love and praise God for His ability to move mountains, part waters, and reveal mysteries. But what about the times when God doesn’t provide the blessings we are expecting? What about when we need God to do something for us and it doesn’t happen? And not something petty like ‘Give me a million dollars.’ Sometimes we pray for good and selfless things. “God, save their life” “Keep them safe” “Make ends meet” “Get me out of this bad situation” Sometimes God doesn’t do things the way that we ask Him to, and sometimes He doesn’t do them at all. Is His compliance a condition of our love for Him?
Be reminded that God’s thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways His ways (Isaiah 55:8). Everything He does is done from a mindset of wisdom and love; it’s just that we may not understand His wisdom or comprehend His love. When we expect God to act according to our design, we are lowering Him to our level.
Be reminded that our love for Him should not be dependent on what He does but on who He is. He, Himself, is love. He is the King, Creator, Sustainer, and Redeemer. He is hope and truth and life. He is holy, holy, holy. No matter what He does or does not do, He is worthy of love simply because of who He is.
I don’t know why God doesn’t comply with all of the prayers that I offer for good, selfless reasons. However, I trust that He knows better than me. And I love Him even when I don’t get what I want.
Today, may you love God unconditionally.