Friday, June 19, 2009

Loving Knee-Deep

1 Peter 4:8
"Above all, love each other deeply,
because love covers over a multitude of sins."

You know, I've read this passage a gazillion times, but the last few times it has come to my attention, the word "deeply" has popped out like a goblin in the night. It could just say, "Above all, love each other, because love covers...." But there's that word: deeply.

I must confess, now that I've discovered this, it has changed my perspective on the word "love." I can't believe how many times a day I shower shallow love in my conversations (not that it's wrong, just that I notice it now).


"Oh, no worries...you know I luv ya, chica."
"I love, Love, LOVE your hair like that."
"Email ya more later. Love, LaLee."


And I mean those words. I do. In my knee-deep sort of way. God has shown me that the only way I can love deeply like he tells me to is if He loves through me.
This is the way God loves:
"I pray that you, being rooted and established in love,
may have power, together with all the saints,
to grasp how wide and long and high and deep 
is the love of Christ,
and to know this love that surpasses knowledge-
that you may be filled to the measure 
of all the fullness of God."
Ephesians 3:17b-19
When He loves through me by the power of the Holy Spirit, it knows no bounds. It is unconditional. It fills others up. When I love knee-deeply by the power of my own knowledge, well...it's difficult to love the unloveable. I want it to be comfortable and easy.
Anyway, I'm thankful for His continued reminders to me that I can be "rooted and established in love"--the fully under-water kind--and that I have His powerful love to tap in to, if I am willing and get myself out of the way.

Thank you, Lord, for loving me so deeply. And may I love like you today, Father. In Jesus' name, Amen.

13 friends shared a comment:

Anonymous said...

I love how the Scriptures bring new insights each time we read! Loving is what it's all about isn't it? True love is the awesome nature of God - something we can never grasp - but a prayer nonetheless!

Runner Mom said...

What a wonderful scripture and promise! Thanks so much for this!
Hugs,
Susan

Joanne Sher said...

Oh yes. That DEEP love. Amazing reminder. Praying I show the deep love much more often.

Denise said...

Amen, amen.

Laury said...

I love what you said, "I can be "rooted and established in love"--the fully under-water kind--and that I have His powerful love to tap in to, if I am willing and get myself out of the way."

I love that under-water kind of love that God has for us and He lets us have for others. Thank you for sharing, Laura.

Patty Wysong said...

This is something I've been praying about La--to let God love through me, not just knee-deep love on my own.

Thanks so much for this analogy--it's really stuck with me.
Hugs!

Debra Kaye said...

Lalee,

It's amazing how one word can jump out at you and just change how you think of the verse, huh? Who wants to be knee deep in love when we can be so deep in His love...I'm with you...deeply, ever so deeply, Lord!

Big hugs to you! PS...I'm coming to Dallas July 19-22 but I'm not sure I'll have time for a visit.

Sheryl said...

love this and thanks for pointing out that word: deeply!

i have been asking God to love my former husband through me. i know i can't do it on my own. amazing how God answers those kind of prayers!!

Teresa @ Grammy Girlfriend said...

I love your blog. I enjoyed reading it today.
I had some time to do some blog hopping...
I always enjoy finding new blogs and new friends.
Hope you will stop by and visit me.
This month I am posting on our Disney trip plus a June giveaway.....plus a new grandson that will arrive on Tuesday....

Betsy Markman said...

Praying for the same thing right along with you!

Connie Arnold said...

Thanks for sharing this beautiful post and pointing out the deep love of the Lord!

Kate said...

Laura Lee!

This is great! (I almost said... I love it! Ha!) I think it's great that God has put this on both of our hearts... it is so TRUE and I think we miss it all too often in our desire to be affirming and caring. But God LOVES us, and we can love only because he loved us first.

Beautiful writing and beautiful thoughts. Thanks for sharing!

SheriYates said...

LOVE love this!