Choosing To Love

I have loved you even as the Father has loved me. Remain in my love. When you obey my commandments, you remain in my love, just as I obey my Father’s commandments and remain in his love. I have told you these things so that you will be filled with my joy. Yes, your joy will overflow!

My first car was a grandma car. Literally: it was my Grandma Jo’s car—a white 1986 Olds 88 that she drove out of town once a week to play bingo. She had it for thirteen years, and when she no longer needed it and I began driving, it was still in pristine condition. It had a plush red interior that caused my young niece to exclaim, “Auntie, it’s like a big couch!”

Of course, it wasn’t sporty or anything that excited me as a sixteen-year-old girl—except that it was mine. That was thrilling. I can still remember the exhilaration of driving in our small town, music turned up, windows rolled down. I reveled in that freedom. Even now, a little time spent driving on an open road can bring peace on a stressful day.

But as with any new item, the glamour eventually wore off. Instead of being thankful that I had a car, I focused on what I didn’t like. I wished I had a newer model that had heated seats and didn’t need to be plugged in to a battery warmer every night to make sure it started in the winter. The shine had faded. I’d lost my first love.

If I’m honest, there have been times when the newness of living for Jesus has faded too. In John 15, Jesus talks about remaining in him. He compares himself to a grapevine, with the Father as the gardener and his followers as branches. He reminds us that we will continue to produce fruit only when rooted in him. He tells us that we must remain in his love for our joy to overflow. Remaining—making the ongoing decision to live out his commandments in our daily life—is what sparks joy and spurs gratitude to overflow.

Just like my first car, our love for Jesus isn’t something to take for granted. The decision to love someone or something doesn’t happen only once. We need to continually remember his blessings. His mercies are new every morning—what a delight! What a reason to be grateful. Let’s thank him for his constant, abiding presence.

Kristin

Today’s Act of Gratitude

In what ways have you been taking God’s love for granted? Spend time thanking God for his love for you.