Four letters that change my life continuously

L.O.V.E.

It's a word we hear in all the new songs, a phrase we hear a mother say to her child, a way we live.  Love is a word that scares me to death.  It calls for commitment and sacrifice. When I say I love someone I am expressing my utmost dedication to them......I might as well say "I will do anything in the world for you and your happiness".  I have been working my way through the book of Hosea for the past week or so and am continuously blown away by this perfect picture of love that God portrays to and through Israel (Gomer).

When God calls us to do hard things we think He has traded us off for something better or completely forgotten about us altogether, but God tells Hosea to go and marry a prostitute even though the two of them are completely aware of her unfaithfulness. In the same way, I think God has us experience difficult circumstances.  In Hosea's story, he searches out Gomer multiple times in hopes of her finally being faithful.  This is to show the reader how God is constantly in pursuit of us even when we are disobedient or literally run from Him and His plans for our lives. 

After getting my acceptance letter for Uganda love took on a new definition for me.  I'm sure we would all say we love God, but do we love what He is doing in our lives?  Uganda is a hard thing for me.  (It's not God telling me to go marry a man-whore, but it's still not easy!)  Going means leaving everything.  My friends, my family, my work, all my future plans......all the things that I value and enjoy.  Do I love God to the point that I am willing to give all of this up for a semester in another country?  I don't know if the better word here is "love" or "trust".  The two words are becoming one in the same for me.  If we love Him then wouldn't we trust Him? 

Hosea trusted and loved God enough to be obedient to the point of marrying a prostitute.  God did this all to show how He dearly loves His people (that includes you and me).  "For I desire mercy, not sacrifice, and acknowledgment of God rather than burnt offerings" (Hosea 6:6)  Love of God requires action; mercy, obedience, and trust.  We do these things because He loves us.  Obedience does not require understanding, but it does requires trust.

"Dear children, let us not love with words or tongue but with actions and in truth"  1 John 3:18