It seems so natural to love God because he first loved me (John 13:34; 1 John 4:19). But I remember when I didn’t love God with all my heart and soul. In that way each one of us is like the ancient Israelites. There are people, things, and situations that compete for our love and attention. They often start subtly and cause our love for God to shift, fluctuate, and fragment.

Our love for God is a response to his love for us. Obedience is an excellent indicator of our love. Jesus told his disciples, “If you love me, you will keep my commands” (John 14:15). Love for God and obedience to God are inseparable. We know that loving God goes beyond words. Through the power of the Holy Spirit, we follow the Lord by leaving our old life behind. Life is no longer all about us but about our love relationship with the Lord.

We deepen our love by getting to know God’s character, who he is, his ways, and what he does. We do this by reading the Bible, observing God’s presence in our lives, and being around people who love him.

I remember when Deacon John and Claire invited me for a meal at their home. John was a quiet, stoic type. Before he prayed, he read aloud from the book of Psalms. Tears came to his eyes as he read about God and his goodness. Love comes from a heart of gratitude.