How do I love Thee?

There are some wonderful stories about how a wealthy man seeks after a wife, but wants to be sure that he is loved because of who he is and not his money (Coming to America (http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0094898/) . At some point my friends would laugh and say, “who cares, you got the girl.” I guess that is true except that he was not after a girl, he was after love. Girls, available because of money, are not a sure bet, as betting goes. Nothing is sure, but there is always someone with more money and then where would the girl go; follow the money. The one sure thing is that you are you, and as unique as a fingerprint. You stay even if the money goes, or for that matter even if the entire economy fails. Playing a pauper to examine the sincerity of a prospective love is another old story, told in many different ways.

I fell in love with my Savior at a young age. There was a real force telling me, that what I knew of Jesus, was just fantasy (schools, today’s philosophy, etc.) Many years went by with me not paying much attention to right and wrong, just whatever felt good. Finally I came to my senses with the help of people who were not afraid of the Gospel and was welcomed once again back home. My Father in heaven, YHWH, waiting for me with open arms (Hmmm.. another old story?) No strings attached.

I was soon introduced to the prosperity gospel. Even though I am prosperous in many ways, I began to feel that I was missing something. I began to look for riches that would testify of the hand of God in my life. I know that it must sound reasonable to some of you. Even though prosperity is something that the Lord wants for His children, it really can not be the focus of your relationship with Him.

Like the man searching out for a wife that will love him, so seeks the Lord for those who will worship Him in spirit and in truth. The time (if there is any time in eternity) God and His beloved will spend together is more than a lifetime. At some point I realized my error of focus. Oh, how I insulted God by basing things from the earth (which are not eternal)as markers of my relationship with Him.

When all is taken away, do you love God? Is He what you are after? Are there any strings attached? These were, and are questions I ask myself often because I dare not hurt the One I love.
Though He slay me, yet will I trust Him (Job 13:15) and praise Him (Ps 71:14)!