The other day as I was preparing to officiate at a wedding for one of our support coaches, I was reminded of a definition for the word “love” that I have used for twenty years…

Although I cannot remember where I originally heard this thought, I have adopted it as my own. To me, “Love is an unconditional commitment to an imperfect person.” 

Did you catch that?  It is an UNCONDITIONAL COMMITMENT to an IMPERFECT person.

I love this definition, not only because this is how I strive to love my wife and my children, but also because this is a perfect description of how God loves me…and this is how He loves you.

God’s love and commitment to us are without conditions.  He doesn’t love us only when we love him and His commitment is not attached to our level of faithfulness.  The Bible actually teaches that even when we are “faithless, He will remain faithful” (II Timothy 2:3). 

His love is forever.  “I have loved you with an everlasting love.”  (Jeremiah 31:3).  It will never fade and you can never drive Him away…even though you are an imperfect person.

There were times in my life when I thought that because of the sin in my life, I would be disqualified.  I assumed when he figured out my will was weak and my passion easily manipulated that He would give up on me…but He didn’t.   He never does.  His commitment is forever even though He is completely aware of our weaknesses and shortcomings. 

Although this may drive some to live selfishly as they try to manipulate the system, it does the opposite to me.  Instead of wanting to play games with sin, I am driven to overcome it.   I don’t want to take His mercy and grace for granted; I want to use it as a tool to overcome myself in order that I might become more like Him. 

The only response to the Unconditional Commitment that this Imperfect Person has received is a pledge…a vow.  Because I enjoy His pleasure and experience His everlasting love, I commit to love Him in return.  Not just with my words, but with my life.  I choose to surrender. I choose to pursue.  I will live in His presence, and I will discover what pleases Him.

Because I am grateful for the perfect love that He has bestowed upon me, I have made a life-long commitment to learn to love Him with everything I am. 

If you are like me and are amazed at the measure of God’s love for us, take just a minute and tell Him.  Rather than live in the glow of His favor today oblivious that His gaze is upon you and His presence is with you, pray a prayer of thanksgiving again offering gratitude for all that He is and all that He offers you.  Perhaps you need to acknowledge Him today for the first time choosing to receive His love and committing to live for Him.  Or, perhaps you need to renew your vow to live in the light of His presence and walk in surrender.  Either way, a prayer begins the journey.  If in your heart, you are aware that you are living selfishly and taking His love for granted, pray the following prayer from your heart; then begin to live out of the realization that God is crazy about you and will help you live for Him.

“Father God, I thank you that you love me with an unconditional and everlasting love.  In the past, I have taken it for granted, but I truly appreciate all that you do for me.  I stop to say “Thank You.”  Today, I give you my life.  Forgive me of my sins.  Take over.  And, teach me to live in relationship with you.  Reveal yourself to me as I pursue you.  And, help me become the person that you created me to be.  Lord, I am yours, now and forever.  In the wonderful name of Jesus, I pray.  Amen.”