May the Lord lead your hearts into a full understanding and expression of the love of God and the patient endurance that comes from Christ. 2 Thessalonians 3:5 (NLT)
Yesterday we discussed how pleasure, prosperity and position cannot fulfill our deepest needs. Even serving God or studying theology can’t fully satisfy your heart.
Today’s verse doesn’t say, “May the Lord lead your hearts into service, good works and sound doctrine.” These are all good things, but our hearts need to be led first into a “full understanding…of the love of God.” It’s God’s love that infuses your life with meaning and purpose. In fact, we can’t express love toward God without first experiencing His love for us (1 John 4:19).
Anything we pursue outside His love is futile in comparison, whether it’s a career, a relationship or any other goal. Ecclesiastes 1:2 (AMP) calls it “a wisp of smoke, a vapor that vanishes, merely chasing the wind.”
I have seen so many people look at their lives and begin to wonder, “What have I accomplished? What have I done with my life?” As they recognize the emptiness of their pursuits, they begin to superimpose this same negativity over their futures and see everything as meaningless.
God created you simply to love you! When you pursue His love and seek first the Kingdom and God’s way of doing things, you find a meaning for your life. You discover a “full understanding of His love” and begin to walk out this same love toward others in everything you do.
Grow in your understanding of God’s incredible love for you, then watch it overflow into every area of your life. It will bring purpose to your relationships, career and dreams. Everything else begins to fall into place when you pursue God and experience His love.