Royal Priesthood, Holy Nation Acts
1:1
Ways to Show Your Love for God
by
Robert T. Cooper
It’s in just
about every movie. The couple find themselves very close to one another. They
lock eyes. The background music becomes romantic strings. The couple’s lips
touch ever so briefly. Suddenly they are locked in a passionate embrace. From
there everything goes X-rated. That is what Hollywood calls love. It is that
sort of dysfunctional schlock that fills everything from children’s movies to
chick flicks. It is also the subject matter of, oh say, 98% of all
pop/rock/country songs. But it isn’t really love. And it isn’t going to help
you know how to show your love for God.
The book of
Acts is dedicated to Theophilus. This name means “Lover of God.” The Gospel of Luke was also dedicated to Theophilus. Since in Bible days names and nicknames
were given to describe the character (or at least to hopefully influence the
developing character) of the person. I’ve always wished we knew a little more
about Theophilus in addition to the name. All we can do is guess. There aren’t
even any useful traditions.
On the other
hand, we can fruitfully think about us. If you or I were to earn the nickname, “Lover
of God,” the people around us would need to see certain actions in our lives.
They would need to see more than that we had strong feelings about God. They
would need to see us living out our devotion to God. Let me suggest three ways
to show your love for God.
1.
People who are in
love devote time to the One they love. They want to listen to the voice of their
Beloved for hours on end. They want to read the love letters of their Beloved
for hours on end. They want to write love letters to their Beloved. They simply
sit and stare, contemplating the features of their Beloved. They whisper in the
ear of their Beloved sweet nothings, mostly words of praise for the beauty and
the character and the remarkable accomplishments of their Beloved.
2.
People who are in
love sacrifice their own agendas in order to do what their Beloved wants to do.
They go where their Beloved wants to go. They learn to be interested in the
things that interest their Beloved and give up those things that do not
interest their Beloved. They sacrifice time with old friends in order to be
with the Beloved and the Beloved’s friends.
3.
People who are in
love sacrifice expenditures on themselves in order to lavish gifts on the
Beloved, tokens of affection, things that will please and honor the Beloved.
And should the Beloved present a token in return, that token is received with
pride; if it can be worn, it is worn with pride for all to see what the Beloved
has done.
I get up early
to spend time with the Lord. I’m not very good at journaling, but I try to do
some. I go through phases when I am better at meditating for awhile, and then
not as good for awhile; but I keep surrounding myself with books and music that
will influence me in that direction.
That’s a
little about me. Would you share a little about you?
