Matthew 3:16, 17  As soon as Jesus was baptized, he went up out of the water. At that moment heaven was opened, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and alighting on him. And a voice from heaven said, “This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased.” (NIV)

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Question: When did God decide he loved you?

Answer: Before you ever did anything to merit it. 

Here at the beginning of Jesus’ ministry, we see him immersed in water by John the Baptizer. Coming up from under the surface, “he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and alighting on him.” He heard a voice from heaven say, “This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased.”

The eternal relationship of the Triune God is that of perfect love and inseparable unity. 

God loved you before you were born. He loves you now. Nothing you can do can separate you from his seeking, searching, pursuing love. Nothing you can do can earn his love. Nothing you can do can cause you to lose his love. God loves you because God is love. Perfect love is his nature. Perfect love is his character. Perfect love is his motivation. 

Genesis 1 tells us the days of creation were shaped by evening and then morning. Rest precedes work. This idea is alive in this text. We rest in God’s perfect love, and we work from that peace of his perfect love. This empowers us to express his perfect love to others. We have nothing to fear when we live, lead, and serve from God’s reservoir of perfect love.

You may have questions. That’s okay. Just know that whatever God needs to say to you to help you understand more of this staggering truth, it comes from a heart that perfectly loves you, a heart that seeks your highest and best in all things at all times.

Feel free to smile as you remember this truth as you navigate this day.

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I will smile and gain courage and confidence at the reminder of God’s perfect love for me. 

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Our Father, thank you for your perfect love. Thank you that you don’t love me because of how good I am, because that love would not be very deep. Thank you that you don’t love me because of the amazing things I do, because I am really, truly seldom amazing. Thank you that you love me because that is who you are. That is your nature, your character, your motivation. Thank you that I don’t have to work to deserve your love. Empower me to live this day from that firm foundation of your perfect love. Make me an instrument of your loving nature that seeks the highest and best for everyone. Amen.