God is love

From April:History of the World in a Year by the Conservative Voice

For people who don't know God personally, it can be an irritating statement. Similar words were painted on a cannon which sieged and flattened the city of Drogheda in Ireland by the Protestant commander Oliver Cromwell. The then Lord Protector of England had not extended the courtesy of protection to the Irish. Even today, the words can be triumphal, used, but not in humble acknowledgement of God. The faithful should know that God is love and apply it. But not as Charles Manson might have, sexually. God is love is a truth. A Christian doing a selfless act through faith that God is love, brings glory to God.

God is love. It is relational love. He is the good father wanting his people to prosper. He desires to be close to them, to walk and talk with them. He wants his people to call to Him in need, and to thank Him when he has been generous in his blessings. To call to Him makes one closer to Him. God likes to be loved. He misses people who reject him. He welcomes them when they turn to Him.
But those that don't know God certainly feel love and practice it. It is a gift from God that all may exercise, and do so without knowing God. A parent loves a child. A spouse loves their partner. It isn't something that only Christians have, and so it is irritating when Christians assert it without acknowledging the broadness.

I heard a sermon recently from a dad whose five year old daughter disappeared from his home in the middle of the day. He was beside himself with panic. The front door was left open, and his two other daughters, 4 and 7 years old had no idea where their sister was. It had only been a few moments when his back was turned, and she was gone. He upended the entire street looking for her, calling out her name. Desperately thinking she had somehow been abducted. That is how God feels for those who do not know him.

People want love in their lives. They do lots of things to find it. But only love with God is satisfying. Not because Christians don't divorce. Not because relationships without God aren't life long. But things are easier for couples and families when their eyes are on satisfying God and not merely their own needs. Serving one's self makes one selfish. Serving another makes one giving. Loving makes one beautiful. And to love is to give. It is the opposite of selfishness. Almost as if God created the world so that those who loved Him would prosper.