What's Love Got To Do With It?

“What’s love got to do, got to do with it? What’s love but a second-hand emotion?” The infamous words of Tina Turner’s song with a gusto that is signature all to her own. But she’s got a point, what does love have to do with it? I’ve found myself pondering the topic of love recently, especially as it relates to God’s love for us. I don’t know about you, but as we come out of this pandemic it seems like we’re all shedding the major fears that we once had during the pandemic’s height (ex. death, loss of a loved one, losing our jobs, etc.) and now there might be some “lower level” fears that remain – whether consciously or subconsciously. And those fears, when they aren’t dealt with can fester and wear us out. I know for myself personally there are times that in the back of my mind I’m constantly asking myself: what’s next on my to do list, am I keeping up with everything at work, how is Olivia doing; is there more I need to do as her Mom, what day this week will I have some down time to enjoy a movie with Denis? I could go on and on, but you get the point. But when I really, I mean really sat down to look at the root of these questions recently I noticed most of my questions were stemmed in fear. Fear that I’m not enough, that I’m not keeping up, that I’m somehow failing or not meeting my own or someone else’s expectations. Those are some hard truths to recognize. But like many things in life the phrase “But God” applies here. But God in his goodness and kindness reminded me that I’ve not really sat with and owned the truth that I am dearly and deeply loved by him. I mean think about it. The God of the universe who created all creation with just his word loves me! And he loves you! When you really take a moment to sit with this truth it has a way of driving away any fears that might try to vie for your attention. 1 John 4:18 puts it this way, “Such love has no fear, because perfect love expels all fear. If we are afraid, it is for fear of punishment, and this shows that we have not fully experienced his perfect love”. And 2 Timothy 1:7 also describes, “For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind”.

So what fears might you be wrestling with if you really sit with this question and allow yourself to get honest? Might I suggest that you also take a moment to hand those fears over to your heavenly father and allow his love to replace those fears? And the best part? You can come to God again and again and ask him to remind you of this truth. Think about this scripture for a moment “Just believe that I am in the Father and the Father is in me. Or at least believe because of the work you have seen me do.” John 14:11. We have God’s Word at our fingertips (hello YouVersion app) that we can access at any time. The more you read the more you’ll see and understand God’s character. And the more you know of God’s character the more you can trust him simply for who he is. BUT this scripture invites us to make it personal and to remember the ways that God has demonstrated his love for us in our own lives. Sure, we’ve all had trials, we know that will happen (John 16:33). But we’ve also experienced God’s love and goodness. Maybe it’s through your family, your spouse, your child(ren), your community, your gifts. The list is endless. But it’s all there – we each have our own list to recall and reflect on. Friends I hope that you’re encouraged that we all have fears that we can continue to shed. But we all also have a personal invitation to invite God to speak love, truth and hope over our fears if we’ll let him. And with all that said, I think I do know what love’s got to do with it. It’s God’s love - living in and through us, casting out all of our fears. The maker and healer of our hearts. He’s what’s love’s got to do with it. 😊

Link to Tina Turner’s song because I know you want to listen now: https://youtu.be/oGpFcHTxjZs

And a link to a worship song to be reminded of God’s extravagant love for you: https://youtu.be/Sc6SSHuZvQE