The power of love
Have you experienced unconditional love?
My dog Heidi loves me enough that she faces fearful circumstances to be with me. She doesn’t like cold weather or rain. She is especially frightened of thunder storms. This past week, we’ve had several bouts of torrential rain, sometimes with temperatures near freezing.
Horses need to be fed, even when the weather is terrible. I’d rather remain in the house, warm and dry, but I bundle up in my raincoat, gloves, and rubber boots. Heidi could stay in her warm bed in the garage, but she goes with me out into the cold rain (without the benefit of a raincoat and rubber boats).
Heidi loves me unconditionally.
My dog endures hard and scary challenges to show her love for me.
As the three years of His ministry on earth came to an end, Jesus knew the challenge He was about to face. Although His disciples recognized their Master was troubled, they did not comprehend the extent of the tragedy their Lord faced. Only a short time before His journey to the cross, Jesus and His followers entered Gethsemane. He directed most of the disciples to sit and wait for Him and took Peter, James, and John with Him further into the garden. Deeply distressed, Jesus spoke:
My soul is overwhelmed with sorrow to the point of death,” he said to them. “Stay here and keep watch.”
Mark 14:34
Jesus walked on before falling to the ground to pray:
Abba, Father,” he said, “everything is possible for you. Take this cup from me. Yet not what I will, but what you will.”
Mark 14:36
The disciples were exhausted and fell asleep. Jesus awakened them with chastisement, urging them to stay awake and pray. Twice more Jesus sought solace in prayer, but returned to awaken His disciples. After the third time, Jesus was accosted and arrested.
We may can identify with the disciples, exhausted and unable to keep their eyes open, while their Master prayed in torment, knowing what He was to face the next day.
The point I wish to emphasize is that Jesus knew what was ahead. He was deeply troubled and distressed by what His Father had planned for Him. He prayed that He would not have to face the upcoming challenge.
Yet Jesus accepted His destiny. He knew He must fulfill His purpose.
Jesus loves unconditionally.
Jesus loved His people then and still loves us, unconditionally.
I know that comparing the love of Jesus with the love my dog has for me may seem to trivialize the immensity of Christ’s love. However, this may help put it better into perspective. My dog goes with me even when it is tough, she barks to warn me of what she perceives as danger, and greets me with love every time I am in her presence. She expects me to feed and shelter her, but that is not what she craves most from me.
What Heidi wants most from me is my love. I believe our Lord loves us unconditionally and what He desires most from us is our love…
Because love changes everything.
Will you pray with me?
Father, we pray for the people of Ukraine, that you will grant them strength, courage, and protection as they continue their fight for freedom. May you gift wisdom to their leaders and all who are working to bring peace. We pray you will guide the aggressors to depart to their own country and cease their unjust attack. And guide us to love one another and our neighbor as you love us. In our Savior’s name. Amen
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Katherine, before your blog arrived in my inbox, I had read this passage in my quiet time. Clearly something I needed reminding about. Thanks for writing and joining you in your closing prayer.
Isn’t it wonderful, that when God wants us to hear His message, He sends it in various ways? That blessing happens to me a lot. Of course, in my case, He likely has to send it multiple times because I’m either a poor listener or a slow learner! A Pastor used to tell us (after he had made a profound statement), either say, “Oh My! or Oh Me!” (I usually had a lot of the “Oh Me!” responses). Thank you for praying with me, Marilyn. The brave men and women of Ukraine are heroes for me, such wonderful examples of courage and faith.
Unconditional love is rare, and experiencing it from our dog helps us understand the magnificence of God’s love for us.
I agree, Candyce, and since our wonderful dog friends are God’s creation too, He gifts us with that extra blessing of unconditional love from our pet. Of course, as you point out, our Father’s magnificent love is magnified immeasurably beyond. We are so blessed!
We were created in the image of God, therefore, without experiencing His love we have a void in our hearts. The only deep satisfaction we can know is to fill up with His love and love Him back in gratitude for what He has done for us.
Barbara, you expressed your thoughts so beautifully, “The only deep satisfaction we can know is to fill up with His love and love Him back in gratitude for what He has done for us.” We often feel so unworthy of God’s love and our inability to love Him enough in return. It is something we continue to strive toward for our entire lifetime. Thank you for sharing your wonderful insights.
I truly do believe dogs and other beloved animals are the closest we can experience the unconditional love of the Lord. That’s why the loss of them hurts immensely. Great post and reassuring to my soul in a world full of people who aren’t fully capable of loving that exhaustively. Amen to the cross and unfailing love of Jesus!
You are right when you acknowledge the pain of losing our animal friends. I wish dogs had a longer lifespan! Perhaps that is why they love us so intensely–they realize that life is short. I’m so thankful for the gift of love–God’s unfailing love for us; His creation of us in His image which granted us the capacity to love; and the joy we experience from loving one another. Our God is an Almighty, Majestic, and trustworthy Father!
That Miss Heidi is something special indeed my friend. Isn’t it amazing how God can use all of His creation to show us things? Love, especially the unconditional kind a devoted animal can demonstrate, is the most powerful force in the universe. God is love’s Creator too.
My Heidi is amazing. She’s been my loving and faithful friend, especially during these past two years. I know you’ve experienced the same joy from your relationship with Bubba. Our Father truly blessed us when He created dogs and filled them with the capacity for unconditional love. Of course, since God created love, we know it to be a gift beyond our ability to fully comprehend. How could anyone love us as unworthy as we are? Yet, He does…
Dogs’ unconditional love can indeed point us to Christ’s love. Jesus used earthly things to teach us heavenly lessons, and that’s just what you’ve done here, Katherine, with the reminder of Jesus’ unconditional love ! Thank you! Heidi sounds like such a special friend!
You make an important point, Kathy, about Jesus using earthly things to teach us heavenly lessons. I think that is a major reason His lessons are so meaningful and relevant to our lives. He using ordinary situations, that we can understand, to teach us vital guidelines to walk daily with Him. Heidi is a special friend. I know you understand the bond we have.
My dog Daisy does the same. I always think how much better the world would be if we treated one another the way our dogs treat us. I am so thankful to have a Savior who was willing to die for me and gives me unconditional love. Thank you for your beautiful prayer for Ukraine.
So glad you have Daisy! Yes, if we loved one another the way our dogs love us, the world would be a better place. We would live out our love for others through our actions, we’d treat one another with compassion and tolerance, and peace could be a reality, not just a dream. Thank you for your encouragement and for your prayers for Ukraine and its people.
I love how God gives us human-sized glimpses into His unfathomable, unconditional love, even through a sweet dog’s love. Thank you for the encouraging words, Katherine.
Praying with you for Ukraine.
Thank you for stopping by my blog, Erin, and for your kind encouragement. Like you, I love how God sends us messages through our animals, nature, and a multitude of other ways. Of course, sometimes those messages are painful and I don’t like how they make me feel, but I love my God for caring for me enough to reach out to me–even when it is to send me needed discipline, correction, or an attitude adjustment. May God bless you this week!
Great analogy and post.
Thank you, Martin. I am blessed that God grants me insightful experiences through my animals and nature walks. So glad you stopped by my blog. Wishing you blessings on your journey.
Katherine, I love your analogy and beautiful words. Your conclusion reminded me of what’s most important: “ I believe our Lord loves us unconditionally and what He desires most from us is our love…” May we love Him more.
That’s my prayer, too, Jeannie, “May we love Him more.” Thank you for sharing.
Dogs are such a gift, aren’t they? What a beautiful word picture of Christ’s love, Katherine.
Your article blessed me today. Thank you for these encouraging words.
Peace and grace,
Tammy
Thanks so much, Tammy. Our pets love us in the way we should love one another. It sounds so easy, but as we can see by both our national and world conflicts, it is not so simple. Praying for peace and love!