There’s a photo from my wedding sitting on my desk. It was taken just after the ceremony when the photographer had us doing what felt like an endless series of poses before we could join everyone else in the reception. Even though I was internally stressing about how long our guests had been waiting for us, none of that tension shows in the photo. It’s simply a young man and a young woman looking at each other in love. Yes, it is “in love” as in lovey-dovey wedding day love, but it is also in love. We’re looking at each other, seeing the goodness in the person and choosing to want the best for that person every single day forevermore.

One of the first Scripture verses we learned as children was John 3:16, “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life” (NIV). When Jesus was born in a manger to an ordinary couple doing their best to follow Yahweh, that was God loving the world. When Jesus was healing the sick and casting out demons and caring for the outcasts, that was God loving the world. And when Jesus was tortured and nailed to the cross, when he was raised up above the crowds on those pieces of wood, and His gaze fell on those jeering at Him, He looked on them in love, and that was God loving the world.

Today, God is looking at you in love. Whether you’re the ordinary folk just doing your best to follow the Lord, or you’re tired from battling chronic illness or inner demons, or you just feel utterly alone, God is looking at you in love. If there’s a part of you that worries you’re the one jeering at Jesus on the cross, the one nailing His hands and feet, the disciple walking away in fear, God is still looking at you in love. I find there is little more impactful in spiritual formation than when we can courageously and vulnerably lift our faces to see God looking at us in love. It is then that we understand what it means to love and to be loved, and that is utterly life-changing.

Engage

• To look at God looking at us in love requires a slowing and a stillness. It’s not something that can be done in a rush or while multitasking. Be intentional in finding time to pause today, still yourself, and turn towards the Lord. You do not have to speak, just be present with Him.
• Holy Spirit, let your deep love wash over us and fill us. Give us eyes to see us as you do in love.

Supporting Scripture

“No power in the sky above or in the earth below – indeed, nothing in all creation will ever be able to separate us from the love of God that is revealed in Christ Jesus our Lord” (Romans 8:39).

Quotable

“God loves us not because we are loveable but because He is love” (C.S. Lewis).

Photo: Foto Pettine/Unsplash, 1000ways/Getty Images