Loving without condition...

"Though the mountains be shaken, and the hills be removed, yet my unfailing love for you will not be shaken, nor my covenant of peace be removed," says the Lord, who has compassion on you. ~ Isaiah 54:10

I remember as a young child we would attend a newly created guitar mass in Indianapolis where my mom, sister and I were living. It was the "new" thing and was thought to be contemporary for the church. 

During this service there would be discussions about the Holy Spirit and how God's love was unconditional. 

I understand now that this was the charismatic movement being ignited in the church, and I was a witness to people exploring spirituality for the first time. For me, I loved the songs, and the words, "Here I am Lord," taught me to listen for God's voice. 

It was at this age that I first understood that God's love was unconditional. Having had parents that had just went through a divorce, there wasn't a lot of talk about unconditional love in our home. 

It was important for me to hear about God's presence, that God would never abandon me, and that God's love for me would never change. 

God does not say, "I love you, if ..."

There are no "ifs" in God's heart. God's love for us does not depend on what we do or say, on our looks or intelligence, or on our success or popularity. 

God's love for us began while still held within our mother's womb and will continue to exist when we have released our final breath. 

God's love is not bound by time or circumstances. 

One thing I have discovered through God's unconditional love, is that although the love is everlasting, our daily expressions and actions concern God. They have to.

​As a father who loves my own children, there are times I become concerned by their words or actions. It's natural to want good things for them. God's love for us wouldn't be real if God didn't care. 

To love without condition does not mean to love without concern. God desires to enter into relationship with us and wants us to love God in return.

To enter into an intimate relationship with God without fear, trusting that we will receive love and always more love, is truly what it means to love and be loved unconditionally.

Stay in God's grip!

​G. Todd Williams (c) 2017