J.I. Packer says that to truly love someone is to make them great. It is to look at the caterpillar and envision the butterfly, and be committed to come alongside the caterpillar to help it along toward becoming the butterfly. This is God’s intention toward us.
As God’s image-bearers, we are carriers of this restoration impulse. We are motivated to mend that which is broken, enhance that which is dull, beautify that which is unsightly. Mechanics restore cars, contractors restore houses, physicians restore bodies, ministers restore souls, and so on. We love the feel and look of a nice haircut, a newly-hemmed pair of pants, or a restored piece of wood. We enjoy making new things out of what has decayed through time and the aging process. This is nothing less than a reflection of the image of God in us.
Love Means Enjoyment
Did you know that God doesn’t merely love you through Jesus, but that he also likes you? He is very fond of you. If you are his child, he takes great delight in you and rejoices over you with singing (Zephaniah 3:17). He calls you his beloved, and wants you to think of him in the same way. Does this blow your mind? If not, don’t you think that it should?
We all want to be enjoyed, don’t we? Students light up when they get a paper back and the teacher’s comments say, “Great job! A+!” Athletes come alive when the crowd cheers in appreciation for their performance. Employees feel larger than life when the boss rewards their hard work with a promotion or a bonus. Children are always crying out to their parents, “Watch me!” because they want to be praised, adored, approved of, and enjoyed. A bride blushes when she walks down the aisle with all eyes gazing at her in all of her loveliness. We want to be cherished, and guess what? God cherishes us! This is part of what he means when he says that he loves us.
My dear friend and long time “big brother” Scotty Smith tells the story of a wedding he once officiated, in which the groom, upon seeing his lovely bride at the back of the sanctuary, left Scotty’s side and ran to her! The groom was so taken by his bride’s beauty, that he could not bear to be separated from her for even another second. He happily made a “fool” of himself in front of a full room of family, friends, and other guests. The Father in heaven, who wants us to call him “Abba” (an Aramaic word meaning “Papa”), the Son who calls us his bride, and the Spirit who pours out the love of God in our hearts, loves us in a similar way. If you don’t believe it, just read Luke 15 and remind yourself that you are the lost sheep and he is the Shepherd rejoicing at the sight of you. You are the lost coin that is found and he is the woman who celebrates after recovering her wealth. You are the lost son and he is the father who throws a “welcome home!” party in your honor. You are the resentful son and he is the father who reminds you that all he has is yours and invites you into the party.
So, will you go in to the party? The love of God awaits.
This article originally appeared here.
