Mostly What God Does

Mostly what God does is love us.  I’m just now beginning to believe this.  Do you believe it? 

God keeps giving me sweet reminders of this truth.  A little over a month ago, it seemed that everywhere I turned (FB, IG, TV, YouTube, Podcast), I was hearing about a book that Savannah Guthrie, from The Today Show, had written.  At first, I scrolled on to the next interesting thing, but one night, I saw a short video clip where Savannah was sitting with her co-workers talking about their faith and her book.  I stopped scrolling and found myself very interested.  I jumped on Amazon and bought the book.  

Guthrie’s book (Let’s just call her Savannah. Okay? Great!) is a super easy read, with deep biblical truths embedded. It’s a lot about her life growing up and how God used the hard times in her life to grow her, spiritually.  She invites readers into her personal journey of grappling with faith, doubt, and the profound realization of God’s unwavering love. As I turned the pages of her book, I found my own perspectives shifting, my heart opening to new understandings, and my relationship with God deepening in unexpected ways. I began to wonder, question, and hope.  

In Savannah’s book, Mostly What God Does, Reflections on Seeking and Finding His Love Everywhere.  you quickly find out that she is telling the reader that mostly what God does is love us.  I did not believe this a month ago.  I knew God loved me, but MOSTLY what God does is love me? He tests us.  He disciplines us.  He does not answer many of our prayers the way we want them answered.  He is all powerful, but allows little children to die.  He takes those we love. He is in charge of the weather, and well… tornados don’t really seem like love to me.  Have you ever been through a divorce after you begged God for reconciliation in your marriage? The Bible says God hates divorce.  Me too! So, why not reconcile my marriage?  That didn’t feel like love. 

I don’t pretend to have all the answers, actually, I have very few, but what I’m beginning to learn is that even in those really hard times, when I look back, I can see His love, not just His plan over my life, but His love for me. I don’t think I tend to focus on His love during those times.  I just want the struggle to be over.  Love does not equal easy.  Somewhere along the journey called life, I quit seeing God’s love all around me.  I saw His judgement just as much as I saw His love.  I did not see them intertwined.  How did I miss this? 

Have you ever heard that our earthly father was meant to show a glimpse of our heavenly Father?  Of course our dads here on earth are not perfect, but they are our first fathers.  I grew up with an incredible dad.  I always had what I needed. He was the best provider.  He had very high expectations of me.  He had a work ethnic like no other and taught his three girls how to be the same.  He did not show much affection, nor did he tell us very often that he loved us on his own initiative. When I hugged him, he hugged back. When I said, “I love you,” he said it back.  However, I never questioned my dad’s love for me. 

I’m sure this affected how I saw my heavenly Father for many years. I knew my dad loved me, but I think I saw hard worker, provider, and disciplinarian first.  That is how I saw God for most of my life.  Savannah’s book brought me back to a deep truth that I needed to remember. I am learning to dwell on God’s love for me. Mostly (always) what God does is love me. Amidst the uncertainties, what remains unwavering is the assurance that at the core of it all, what God does, is love us endlessly.  That’s the truth! 

I’ll leave you with a prayer and two questions to think about.  They were emailed to me from Yarrow (a bible study brand of Precept Ministries). Again, such a sweet gift from God to remind me that mostly (always) what God does is love me.   

Lord Jesus,

Your love is beyond anything this world has ever seen. Give me understanding so I can better grasp how high, deep, broad, and long Your love is for me. And from that understanding equip me to pour out Your love to the people around me. 

Amen.

What if the Holy Spirit empowered you to truly know- in the depths of your heart- Christ’s great love for you? Then, what if He equipped you to share that love with the people around you? You’d change your corner of the world. 

Let’s believe that mostly (always) what God does is love us and see how that changes our corner of the world!