Zephaniah 3:17 (NIV) says, “The Lord your God …will take great delight in you, He will quiet you with His love, He will rejoice over you with singing.”
Can we ever love too much? Probably not, if that love is rooted in God or from healthy motives. We all know that what we deem to be love can become an unhealthy force, rooted in co-dependency, selfishness, or a sense of control.
Most of us have been blessed by having mothers who loved us, protected us, stood up for us, forgave us when we made mistakes, and tried to teach us to live in a healthy way. That’s how God’s love is for us. He nurtures us and delights when we come to Him. We are the apple of his eye!
When our youngest daughter was preschool age, she had several dolls that she mothered over with all her heart. I remember that one was called “Laughing Baby,” and another one was named “Coach Prince.” What a weird name! She fed them, kept them swaddled and took them with her every place she’d go. One day she came in the house with a large, wounded grasshopper. I had always thought that grasshoppers looked creepy, and this one was no exception. Well, she made a little bed for it, put a band aid over it then wrapped it snuggly in a miniature blanket. She would talk to it and sing to it. The next morning, however, the grasshopper had died. She had loved it too much!
How can we avoid “loving” in unhealthy ways? 1. By looking at others’ needs and not just our own. 2. By not spoiling our children -easier said than done, right? 3. By choosing our relationships carefully, seeking counsel from God and others who are spiritually mature. 4. By trying to balance our lives so our hobbies or work don’t overpower our lives. 5. And living by 1Corinthians 16:14, “Doing everything in love.”
We can never love God too much. He is the source of our joy, strength, and “mothers” over us by sending His Spirit to guide us, to comfort us, to counsel us, to intercede for us, and teach us.
Join us this Sunday in-person or online to expand your view of how God works in our lives.
Pastor Jackie White