Not all of us can do great things. But we can do small things with great love.
Mother Teresa
Making Space
The most loving thing we can do for those we love is to stop looking to them for fulfillment. When we remove this pressure from them, we open a part of our hearts for God to fill. The One who created us, the only One who knows us in our entirety and loves us without limit. He is the One waiting to fulfill us, but we only expose this place when we let go of our expectations of others.
If you reflect on the last time you fought or felt frustrated with someone close to you, did you perceive they owed you something? Anything? Gratitude, affection, attention, praise, time—was there something deeper underneath? This misaligned expectation creates the illusion of love and, therefore, disappointment. People we love will always let us down, not because of their faults but because we have placed a responsibility on each other that God did not design us to carry. The Enemy quickly pressures us into thinking we have to be everything to everyone and, in turn, expect this from others. It’s not until we start to look up and realize we receive our fulfillment from God that we will experience true love, peace, and joy. (John 15:9-12)
Shifting My Perspective
A friend introduced me to this concept as she told me, “If we go to someone else to fill a need before we first go to Jesus, we are operating in the flesh. Before we turn to the earthly, our spirit must be filled from above.” I recognized this was powerful, so I resolved to unpack it later. I’m thankful I did because she was right. The deeper I dig, the more Biblical truth I uncover in this mindset.
As I’ve spent time with this, I am adding, being filled from the Spirit is our highest calling; we can’t reach out to others if we are not filled first. Only once I receive fulfillment from the Holy can I extend a hand to the earthly. Any fulfillment we receive in relationships is a blessing overflowing, not the purpose. (John 15:4,5 and Psalms 1:2,3)
Freedom in Letting Go
I must admit that I am operating in the flesh when I feel let down by others. Otherwise, I will give the Enemy a place to slide in and take a foothold on my perspective. Every moment, it is essential that I look above for fulfillment as Jesus did (John 14:30). If I want this truth to transform me, I must first acknowledge where I’ve been self-centered in my relationships. Where I’ve placed conditions on love and where I’ve been holding onto expectations. Love isn’t about receiving; it’s about contribution. When I align my actions with this truth, I receive freedom! When my sole purpose becomes to overflow the love of Christ, I am free to love without expectation. I become free to uncover joy in each moment.
Practical Truth
I previously discovered a possible connection between joy and loving unconditionally (read that post here). I continue to explore these beautiful life applications as I sit with the Father. God’s Word is teaching me that He is the only One that can truly fulfill me. As I learn to accept His unconditional love, I am learning to better love others. I have uncovered more peace and joy as I embrace this thinking and walk in this truth. This is just another piece supporting this connection, another discovery I had to share!
🎵 Andrew Ripp, For the Love of God 🎶
And… SAVE the DATE: February 25th
We plan to have another Good News Party! I’ll update as we get closer.