D. Scott Cook's Blog

Son, you are always with me, and all that is mine is yours. -Luke 15:31

Where there is love there is life. -Mahatma Gandhi

One of the most profound stories Jesus told was about two sons—one who ran away and one who stayed behind. Many call it the Parable of the Prodigal Son, but the real focus isn’t just on the lost son—it’s on the father, whose love breaks every expectation. This story unveils the true heart of God, not only toward those who wander but also toward those who remain but fail to embrace the fullness of His love and grace.

A Father’s Love That Knows No Bounds

In an act that would have been seen as outrageous in Jewish culture, the younger son demands his inheritance while his father is still alive. Essentially, he is saying, “I wish you were dead—just give me my share now.” Despite the deep insult, the father grants his request. No arguments. No reprimands. Just an open hand.

This tells us something incredible about God’s character. He does not force us into obedience. He allows us to make our own choices, even when they lead us down painful paths. The younger son viewed his father as restrictive instead of loving. He believed real freedom and fulfillment were out there, away from his father’s presence.

The Illusion of Freedom

With money in hand, the younger son sets off for a far country. He wastes his wealth on reckless living, throwing it away to build an image, to fit in, and to experience fleeting pleasure. The word squandered literally means to scatter—to throw away without thought.

As soon as his money runs out, his so-called friends disappear. Left alone, starving, and desperate, he ends up working in the most humiliating position imaginable for a Jewish man—feeding pigs. He is so hungry that even the food meant for the pigs looks appealing.

It’s often in our lowest moments that we begin to see clearly. The younger son “came to himself.” He realized that his father was not the harsh, controlling man he had imagined, but a provider. Even his father’s servants had more than enough. He decided to return home—not as a son, but as a servant—believing he had forfeited his place in the family.

How often do we fall into the same trap? We assume our failures have changed God’s heart toward us. We believe we must earn our way back, prove our sincerity, and work to regain favor. But the next part of the story shatters that misconception entirely.

The Father Who Runs

The son prepares his apology, expecting judgment and rejection. But before he even reaches home, his father sees him from a distance.

And what does the father do? He runs.

In that culture, dignified men did not run. It was considered undignified and beneath them. But this father doesn’t care about appearances—he throws aside social expectations because his love is greater than cultural dignity. He runs to his son, embraces him, and kisses him before a single word of repentance is spoken.

The son begins his rehearsed speech, but the father doesn’t even let him finish. Instead, he calls for the best robe, a ring, and sandals—signs of full restoration as a son, not a servant. Then, he commands a feast.

“For this my son was dead, and is alive again; he was lost, and is found.” (Luke 15:24)

This is who God is. He is not waiting for you to clean yourself up before He embraces you. He meets you in your mess, wraps His arms around you, and calls for a celebration.

The Older Son: Lost in a Different Way

While the younger son was lost in rebellion, the older son was lost in resentment. He had stayed home, worked hard, followed the rules—and now, he was furious that his reckless brother was being celebrated.

His words reveal his heart:

“Look! These many years I have served you, and I never disobeyed your command, yet you never gave me a young goat that I might celebrate with my friends.” (Luke 15:29)

The older son viewed his relationship with his father as a contract—work hard, follow the rules, and get rewarded. Now, he felt cheated. He had done everything “right,” and yet the one who had done everything wrong was getting celebrated.

How often do we struggle with this same mindset? We look at others who receive God’s grace and silently ask, “What about me? Haven’t I been faithful? Haven’t I done enough?”

The father’s response is stunning:

“Son, you are always with me, and all that is mine is yours.” (Luke 15:31)

The older son had access to everything his father owned, yet he lived as if he were just a servant. He had obedience but no joy. He had the father’s house but didn’t share his father’s heart.

Are You the Prodigal or the Party Pooper?

Some of us have been the younger son—running, rebelling, hitting rock bottom, and fearing that God has given up on us. But He hasn’t. He’s watching for you, running toward you, ready to celebrate your return.

Some of us have been the older son—doing everything “right” but missing the joy of God’s presence. We’ve served, obeyed, and worked hard, but we’ve allowed resentment to build because we’ve misunderstood what it means to be a child of God.

The Invitation to Join the Celebration

At the end of the story, the younger son is inside enjoying the party, while the older son is outside, refusing to join. The father goes out to plead with him, just as he ran to the younger son. But the story never tells us if the older son went in.

Why? Because that’s the decision each of us must make.

God isn’t just inviting rebels to return—He’s inviting the self-righteous to rejoice. He’s calling everyone, prodigals and party poopers alike, to step into the fullness of His love. The question is, will we?

The kingdom of God is a party, a celebration. The Father is throwing a feast. Will you come in and join the party?

Want to know more? See D. Scott Cook’s book Alignment Of Authentic Love: Living Your Highest Life .

No longer do I call you servants, for a servant does not know what his master is doing; but I have called you friends. -John 15:15

A friend is someone who gives you total freedom to be yourself. -Jim Morrison

Many people believe that God loves them because, well, He has to. After all, He is God, and love is His nature. But what if I told you that God doesn’t just love you—He genuinely likes you? He enjoys your personality, laughter, quirks, and even the things you think make you unworthy. He doesn’t merely tolerate you; He delights in you.

The Difference Between Love and Like

One of the first things I ask couples in premarital counseling isn’t “Do you love each other?” but “Do you like each other?” Love is deep, committed, and enduring, but liking someone means you enjoy their company. It means you genuinely want to spend time with them, laugh with them, and share life with them.

The same is true with God. His love for you is unwavering, but He also genuinely likes you. He wants to spend time with you, not out of obligation but out of delight. That’s a game-changer for many who’ve spent their lives believing that God merely tolerates them because He has to.

God Likes You Just as You Are

Maybe you’ve thought, “Sure, God loves me, but He must be disappointed in me.” You might feel like you’ve too many flaws, too many struggles, or that you’re just not where you should be spiritually. But here’s the truth: God doesn’t just love some perfected future version of you. He likes you as you are right now.

Yes, we all grow and change, but that’s God’s responsibility, not yours. When we become obsessed with fixing ourselves, we miss the joy of resting in the truth that God already delights in us. Our journey isn’t about earning His approval; it’s about realizing we’ve had it all along.

Jesus’ Radical Friendship with People

Jesus showed us what the heart of the Father looks like through His actions. He spent time with the outcasts, the so-called sinners, and those others avoided. The religious leaders couldn’t stand it.

“The Son of Man has come eating and drinking, and you say, ‘Look at him! A glutton and a drunkard, a friend of tax collectors and sinners!’” (Luke 7:34 ESV)

They murmured and grumbled because Jesus welcomed people they thought were unworthy. But Jesus wasn’t just ministering to them—He enjoyed being with them. He liked their company.

How often do we assume God feels distant from us because of our flaws? But if Jesus could delight in spending time with those society looked down on, why wouldn’t He feel the same way about you?

The Lost Sheep—You Have Always Belonged

Jesus told a powerful parable about a shepherd who had 100 sheep, and when one got lost, he left the 99 to go after the one.

“Rejoice with me, for I have found my sheep that was lost.” (Luke 15:6 ESV)

Here’s the key: The sheep belonged to the shepherd before it was ever lost. It wasn’t an outsider trying to earn a place in the flock. It was always his.

God isn’t waiting for you to prove yourself worthy of belonging. You’ve always belonged to Him. He’s not standing back, waiting for you to make your way back home—He’s already pursuing you, carrying you, and celebrating you.

You Are Valued—The Lost Coin

Jesus followed up with another parable about a woman who lost a valuable silver coin. She searched her entire house, lighting a lamp and sweeping until she found it. And when she did, she rejoiced.

“Rejoice with me, for I have found the coin that I had lost.” (Luke 15:9 ESV)

That coin never lost its value, even while it was lost. It was precious the entire time.

You are that valuable to God. Nothing you’ve done—or haven’t done—has diminished your worth in His eyes. He doesn’t just love you in some theological sense. He values you personally, intimately, deeply.

God’s Thoughts About You Are Precious

If you still struggle to believe that God truly enjoys you, consider this:

“How precious to me are your thoughts, O God! How vast is the sum of them! If I would count them, they are more than the sand.” (Psalm 139:17-18 ESV)

God’s thoughts about you are precious and outnumber the grains of sand. Think about that! Every single thought He has toward you is filled with love, kindness, and joy. He isn’t frustrated with you. He isn’t waiting for you to get it together. He is completely and utterly delighted in you.

More Than Servants—God Calls You Friend

Jesus made an incredible statement in John 15:15:

“No longer do I call you servants, for a servant does not know what his master is doing; but I have called you friends.” (John 15:15 NKJV)

Friendship isn’t about obligation, it’s about desire. Jesus doesn’t just save you; He chooses you as His friend. Imagine the best friendships in your life; the people who make you laugh, who encourage you, who love you just as you are. That’s the kind of relationship Jesus wants with you.

God’s Delight in You—A Reason to Rest

So what does all of this mean for your life? It means you can stop striving. You don’t have to perform for God’s approval. You don’t have to work harder to make Him happy. You don’t have to wonder if you measure up.

God already delights in you. He already enjoys you. He isn’t waiting for you to become a better version of yourself before He fully embraces you. You already belong. You’re already loved. And best of all, you’re already liked.

So the next time you think about God, don’t picture Him as distant or disappointed. Picture Him smiling, laughing, and enjoying who you are. Because He does.

See D. Scott Cook’s book Alignment Of Authentic Love: Living Your Highest Life to learn more.

For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord. -Romans 8:38-39

In an era where technology has erased geographical barriers, we can instantly connect with anyone, anywhere. With a single tap, we bridge distances that once felt insurmountable. Despite this, many of us still feel spiritually distant from God, as if He is unreachable or requires a long journey to access. But what if this sense of separation is nothing more than an illusion? What if God has never been far, and there has never been a delay in His presence or love?

Dispelling the Myth of Separation

Feelings can be deceptive. Just because we feel distant from God doesn’t mean we are. Perhaps life’s hardships make us question His nearness, leading us to ask, Where is God in all of this? The belief that God is absent in our struggles fosters frustration, doubt, and even resentment.

However, this perception is built on a misunderstanding. God has never abandoned us—not for a second. He is intimately present in every second of our existence. The idea that God turned His back on Jesus at the cross—and, by extension, on us—is one of the most damaging misconceptions. In truth, God has never forsaken us, and He never will.

Breaking Free from the "I Am Not" Mentality

One of the most insidious lies we tell ourselves is rooted in the phrase "I am not."

I am not good enough.

I am not spiritual enough.

I am not worthy of love.

This self-defeating mindset keeps us trapped in a cycle of striving, making us believe that if we just did more—prayed more, served more, tried harder—we’d finally be enough. But this isn’t how God operates. The truth is, we’re already enough. We’re already loved, already accepted. We’re not on a journey toward worthiness; we’ve been worthy from the beginning.

Since the dawn of humanity, we’ve been deceived into believing we lack something essential. Adam and Eve believed they were missing out, tricked into striving for what was already theirs. Today, that same deception lingers, whispering to us that we’re incomplete and that God is withholding something we must earn. But He has never withheld anything. His love, His presence, His acceptance—these have always been freely given.

The Difference Between Religion and Relationship

For centuries, religion has functioned like a never-ending checklist—one more sermon, one more act of service, one more step before we finally "arrive." It operates much like the fast-food industry: offering just enough to keep us coming back without ever truly satisfying our hunger. Religion thrives on a scarcity mindset, making us believe we must do something to earn God's love.

But God isn’t keeping score. He doesn’t operate on a merit system. He isn’t waiting for us to check the right boxes before He declares us acceptable. We’re already embraced, already whole, already home.

Legalism places heavy burdens on us, convincing us that Divine approval must be earned. Grace, on the other hand, is a gift. When we stop striving for something we already have, we enter into the peace and freedom that has always been ours.

Living in the Reality of Our Union with God

The moment we shift our perspective from striving to resting, we step into the fullness of our relationship with God. The Apostle Paul emphasized this truth repeatedly: We are in Christ, and Christ is in us. There is no distance or separation. Only our perception keeps us from fully experiencing this reality.

To live in this truth means shedding guilt, shame, and the relentless pursuit of approval. Instead of trying to become something, we recognize that we already are. This realization transforms how we live, pray, and relate to God.

In my years of counseling, I have seen how past trauma—whether abandonment, abuse, or profound loss—creates an overwhelming sense of separation from God. Many believe that if God truly loved them, He would have prevented their pain. But the truth is, God was never absent. He was there, carrying them through, even when they couldn’t perceive His presence.

Embracing Our True Identity in Christ

If you’ve ever felt unworthy, unloved, or distant from God, know this: Your feelings don’t define your reality. You’re not a lost cause. You’re not abandoned. You’re not lacking.

You’re not unloved. You’re deeply cherished.

You’re not distant. You’re one with Christ.

You’re not unworthy. You’re fully accepted, just as you are.

The invitation is simple: Stop striving. Stop trying to earn what has already been given freely. Rest in the truth that you’re already embraced by a love beyond measure.

The Power of Letting Go

Many of us live as if we must constantly prove ourselves—to God, to others, even to ourselves. We believe that if we just do enough, we’ll finally feel whole. But true freedom comes when we let go of this exhausting cycle.

When we embrace who we are in Christ, we find the rest our souls have been craving.

Remember, God is not far. He never has been. There is no distance, no delay. Only the eternal embrace of our Abba Father, who has never let you go and never, ever will.

Want to know more? See D. Scott Cook’s book Alignment Of Authentic Love: Living Your Highest Life .

There is no fear in love; perfect love drives out all fear. So then, love has not been made perfect in anyone who is afraid, because fear has to do with punishment. -I John 4:18 GNT 

Define yourself radically as one beloved by God. This is the true self. Every other identity is illusion. -Brennan Manning

I used to think that my relationship with God was built purely on knowledge. If I read the Bible, prayed, and did all the right things, then surely my faith would be strong. But something felt off. No matter how much I studied, there was a disconnect. Over time, I realized that my emotions toward God—how I felt about Him—were shaping my spiritual life more than I ever understood.

We often assume our faith is driven by what we believe in our minds, but in reality, our hearts tell a different story. We may say, God is good, but if we feel abandoned in our struggles, do we truly trust that goodness? If we claim God is loving, yet secretly believe He is impossible to please, how close do we allow ourselves to get to Him?

Our emotions create the lens through which we see God, and that perspective influences everything.

Why Do We Keep God at a Distance?

Many of us long for closeness with God, but at the same time, we hesitate. We may not even realize we’re doing it, but deep down, something holds us back. I’ve met so many people who desire a deeper faith but wrestle with feelings of unworthiness, fear, or even distrust of God.

Some common thoughts I’ve heard from others—and even battled myself—include:

God is disappointed in me.

I have to work harder to be worthy of Him.

God will bless others, but not me.

He is distant and uninvolved in my struggles.

I can’t be honest with God because He will judge me.

Thoughts like these are significant, because what we believe emotionally about God determines whether we run toward Him or away from Him. If we secretly think He’s always watching to catch our failures, we’ll approach Him with hesitation, not confidence. If we think He’s distant and uninterested, we won’t expect Him to be active in our lives.

The way we feel about God impacts how we pray, how we worship, how we read Scripture, and how we experience His presence. Even how we relate to those around us.

The First Human Response to Fear

This emotional struggle is nothing new. In fact, we see it in the very first humans. When Adam and Eve disobeyed God, their first reaction was to hide.

“Then the eyes of both of them were opened, and they knew that they were naked; and they sewed fig leaves together and made themselves coverings.” (Genesis 3:7) NKJV

Instead of running to God for help, they ran away. Why? Because suddenly, they saw Him through a lens of fear instead of love. They assumed He would be angry, that His presence meant punishment, and they felt ashamed. But the truth was, God had not changed. They had.

Their feelings shaped how they saw God, and that perception caused them to distance themselves. The same thing happens to us today.

The Lies We Believe About God

Throughout life, we pick up ideas about God—some true, some false. Unfortunately, many of us have unknowingly adopted a distorted view of Him. Our upbringing, past experiences, and even religious teachings can leave us with an inaccurate picture of His character.

We may feel that God is harsh because authority figures in our lives were harsh. We may believe He is absent because we’ve felt unseen in our struggles. We may think we need to prove our worth because human love has often been conditional.

But just because we feel something doesn’t mean it’s true.

Shifting from Fear to Love

The Bible makes it clear that God’s nature is love—not just in what He does, but in who He is.

“There is no fear in love, but perfect love casts out fear.” (1 John 4:18) NKJV

“The Lord is gracious and compassionate, slow to anger and rich in love.: (Psalm 145:8) NIV

“The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness.” (Galatians 5:22) NIV

If our feelings about God are dominated by fear, guilt, or hesitation, it’s a sign that we haven’t yet fully grasped His love. God never intended for us to walk in uncertainty about our standing with Him. He longs for us to know, beyond any doubt, that we’re cherished.

How Our Feelings Affect Our Faith

When our emotions are out of alignment with the truth, it creates a barrier between us and God. We see this in several ways:

Prayer becomes difficult. If we feel unworthy or think God isn’t listening, we hesitate to pray with confidence.

Worship feels forced. When we don’t trust God’s love, worship may feel like a performance instead of a response.

Reading the Bible becomes a struggle. If we secretly think God is distant or demanding, we may read Scripture through a lens of duty instead of joy.

We strive instead of rest. If we believe we must earn God’s love, we constantly strive to be “good enough” instead of resting in His grace.

What If God Is More Loving Than You Ever Imagined?

What if the version of God you’ve feared isn’t real? What if He is more loving, more compassionate, and more patient than you’ve ever dared to believe?

Imagine a God who:

Welcomes you in your mess, not just when you have it all together.

Listens to every prayer, even the ones you’re afraid to pray.

Never withholds love based on your mistakes.

Delights in you simply because you’re His.

This is the true heart of God. He’s not standing at a distance, waiting for you to measure up. He’s already near, inviting you to trust Him.

Healing Our Emotions Toward God

If you recognize that your feelings about God have been shaped by fear, past hurts, or misconceptions, don’t be discouraged. The good news is that emotions can be healed, and perceptions can change.

Begin shifting how you feel about God with some of these practices:

Acknowledge how you truly feel. Be honest with yourself about any fears, doubts, or hesitations you have toward God.

Compare your feelings to Scripture. What does the Bible actually say about God’s nature? Do your emotions align with truth?

Invite God into the process. Ask Him to reveal His love to you in a personal way.

Surround yourself with truth. Find encouraging books, sermons, or mentors who reinforce the reality of God’s kindness.

Give yourself grace. Changing deep-seated emotions takes time. Be patient with yourself as you grow in trust.

A New Perspective

If you’ve spent years believing that God is distant, demanding, or impossible to please, I encourage you to take a step back and ask yourself:

What if I’ve been wrong about Him?

What if He is better than I ever imagined?

What if His love is deeper than I’ve ever experienced?

What if He’s been right beside me all along, waiting for me to see Him clearly?

No matter what your emotions have told you, the truth remains: God is for you, not against you. And once you begin to feel that truth deep in your heart, everything changes.

It’s time to stop running, stop hiding, and start embracing the love that has always been yours.

Want to know more? See D. Scott Cook’s book Alignment Of Authentic Love: Living Your Highest Life .

Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. -1 Corinthians 13:4-7

Unconditional love really exists in each of us. It is part of our deep inner being. It’s not so much an active emotion as a state of being. -Ram Dass

For years, I searched for something deeper—love that wasn’t conditional, love that didn’t have to be earned. Like many, I thought love came with expectations, which had to be proven through good behavior, meeting standards, or being enough. The more I chased after it, the emptier I felt. But then, I came face to face with a life-altering truth: God is love. Not just a loving being but the very essence of love itself.

Understanding this wasn’t just an intellectual revelation, it completely shifted my view of relationships, self-worth, and faith. It redefined how I saw God, how I saw myself, and how I treated those around me. Love was no longer something I had to strive for; it was something I had always been invited to receive.

When Life Takes an Unexpected Turn

I remember the moment my world changed. One day, everything felt normal. The next, I woke up with a strange tingling in my feet. It spread quickly—nerve pain, burning sensations, muscle weakness, and exhaustion I couldn't explain. Doctors ran tests, specialists gave theories, but no one could give me real answers. Fear gripped me.

What if I never recovered? What if I could no longer take care of my family? What if this was my new reality? The uncertainty was overwhelming, and I started questioning everything—including God.

In the silence of my suffering, I heard a question that stopped me in my tracks: “Do you believe that I am perfect love?”

At first, my honest answer was no. If God was love, why was I in pain? Why had my prayers gone unanswered? But as I wrestled with that question, a shift happened. What if love wasn’t defined by my circumstances? What if love had been there all along?

That moment wasn’t an instant healing, but it was the beginning of a transformation—one that changed how I understood God’s love forever.

How We See God Shapes Everything

Many of us believe in God, but our perception of Him is often shaped by our personal experiences. For years, I saw Him as distant, a strict observer waiting for me to prove myself. My relationship with Him was built on striving—trying to be good enough, trying to earn approval.

But I was wrong. God was never withholding love. He wasn’t standing back, keeping score. His love was constant, unwavering, and independent of my performance.

Once I realized this, everything changed. I stopped trying to achieve love and started receiving it.

The Trinity: Love in Its Purest Form

One of the most profound realizations I had was about the nature of the Trinity: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Before the world was created, love already existed in perfect harmony between them. God didn’t create us because He needed us. He wasn’t lonely. He wasn’t incomplete. He created us from an overflow of love—so abundant that He wanted to share it with us.

This truth freed me from the lie that God’s love depended on my actions. He didn’t love me because of what I could offer. He loved me simply because love is who He is.

The Creation of Humanity: A Love Story

When God created humanity, He called us very good. That phrase stood out to me in a way it never had before. The Hebrew word towb means beautiful, excellent, delightful. From the very beginning, we were designed as an expression of God’s love, not as an afterthought, not as a project, but as something He delighted in.

This realization changed the way I saw myself. My worth wasn’t tied to my achievements, my failures, or my past. My worth was established the moment God called me His own.

Where It All Went Wrong: The Distortion of Love

If God’s love is so perfect, why do so many struggle to experience it? That was another question I wrestled with. The answer lies in the story of the Garden of Eden. When Adam and Eve believed the lie that they were lacking, that God was holding something back from them, they stepped away from perfect love.

Shame took over. Fear replaced trust. Instead of resting in love, humanity began searching for love in places it was never meant to be found.

Since then, people have tried to fill that void—chasing after relationships, success, validation, believing that love must be earned rather than freely received.

But God never changed. His love remained. And He set a plan in motion to restore what was lost.

Jesus: The Ultimate Expression of Love

God’s response to brokenness wasn’t to pull away. It wasn’t to wait for humanity to fix itself. His response was Jesus.

Jesus came to show us what love really looks like: love that gives, love that sacrifices, love that meets people exactly where they are. He didn’t come to set impossible standards; He came to reveal that we’re never excluded, never abandoned, never unloved.

For years, I struggled with feeling worthy of that love. But then I realized my worthiness was never the point. Jesus didn’t love me because I had earned it. He loved me because love is who He is. That truth shattered every lie I had believed about myself.

Living in the Reality of Love

Once I embraced this truth, everything shifted.

I stopped striving. No more living under the weight of “trying to be enough.”

Fear lost its grip. When I trusted in God’s love, anxiety and doubt lost their control.

My relationships changed. Experiencing unconditional love allowed me to extend it to others.

I found peace. Instead of questioning my worth, I rested in the truth that I was already deeply loved.

An Invitation to Experience Real Love

This isn’t just a theological discussion. It’s an invitation. An invitation to stop searching for love in things that will never satisfy and start resting in the love that has always been there.

So, I ask you, just as I had to ask myself:

Do you truly believe that God loves you, not just in theory, but personally?

Are there past wounds that have made it hard for you to trust that love?

What would change in your life if you stopped striving for love and simply received it?

God’s love isn’t a transaction. It’s not based on what you do or don’t do. It’s a gift—one that has always been yours.

The moment you embrace it, everything changes.

You are seen. You are known. You are loved.

See D. Scott Cook’s book Alignment of Authentic Love: Living Your Highest Life to learn more.

Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. -1 Corinthians 13:4-7

Unconditional love really exists in each of us. It is part of our deep inner being. It’s not so much an active emotion as a state of being. -Ram Dass

For years, I searched for something deeper—love that wasn’t conditional, love that didn’t have to be earned. Like many, I thought love came with expectations, which had to be proven through good behavior, meeting standards, or being enough. The more I chased after it, the emptier I felt. But then, I came face to face with a life-altering truth: God is love. Not just a loving being but the very essence of love itself.

Understanding this wasn’t just an intellectual revelation, it completely shifted my view of relationships, self-worth, and faith. It redefined how I saw God, how I saw myself, and how I treated those around me. Love was no longer something I had to strive for; it was something I had always been invited to receive.

When Life Takes an Unexpected Turn

I remember the moment my world changed. One day, everything felt normal. The next, I woke up with a strange tingling in my feet. It spread quickly—nerve pain, burning sensations, muscle weakness, and exhaustion I couldn't explain. Doctors ran tests, specialists gave theories, but no one could give me real answers. Fear gripped me.

What if I never recovered? What if I could no longer take care of my family? What if this was my new reality? The uncertainty was overwhelming, and I started questioning everything—including God.

In the silence of my suffering, I heard a question that stopped me in my tracks: “Do you believe that I am perfect love?”

At first, my honest answer was no. If God was love, why was I in pain? Why had my prayers gone unanswered? But as I wrestled with that question, a shift happened. What if love wasn’t defined by my circumstances? What if love had been there all along?

That moment wasn’t an instant healing, but it was the beginning of a transformation—one that changed how I understood God’s love forever.

How We See God Shapes Everything

Many of us believe in God, but our perception of Him is often shaped by our personal experiences. For years, I saw Him as distant, a strict observer waiting for me to prove myself. My relationship with Him was built on striving—trying to be good enough, trying to earn approval.

But I was wrong. God was never withholding love. He wasn’t standing back, keeping score. His love was constant, unwavering, and independent of my performance.

Once I realized this, everything changed. I stopped trying to achieve love and started receiving it.

The Trinity: Love in Its Purest Form

One of the most profound realizations I had was about the nature of the Trinity: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Before the world was created, love already existed in perfect harmony between them. God didn’t create us because He needed us. He wasn’t lonely. He wasn’t incomplete. He created us from an overflow of love—so abundant that He wanted to share it with us.

This truth freed me from the lie that God’s love depended on my actions. He didn’t love me because of what I could offer. He loved me simply because love is who He is.

The Creation of Humanity: A Love Story

When God created humanity, He called us very good. That phrase stood out to me in a way it never had before. The Hebrew word towb means beautiful, excellent, delightful. From the very beginning, we were designed as an expression of God’s love, not as an afterthought, not as a project, but as something He delighted in.

This realization changed the way I saw myself. My worth wasn’t tied to my achievements, my failures, or my past. My worth was established the moment God called me His own.

Where It All Went Wrong: The Distortion of Love

If God’s love is so perfect, why do so many struggle to experience it? That was another question I wrestled with. The answer lies in the story of the Garden of Eden. When Adam and Eve believed the lie that they were lacking, that God was holding something back from them, they stepped away from perfect love.

Shame took over. Fear replaced trust. Instead of resting in love, humanity began searching for love in places it was never meant to be found.

Since then, people have tried to fill that void—chasing after relationships, success, validation, believing that love must be earned rather than freely received.

But God never changed. His love remained. And He set a plan in motion to restore what was lost.

Jesus: The Ultimate Expression of Love

God’s response to brokenness wasn’t to pull away. It wasn’t to wait for humanity to fix itself. His response was Jesus.

Jesus came to show us what love really looks like: love that gives, love that sacrifices, love that meets people exactly where they are. He didn’t come to set impossible standards; He came to reveal that we’re never excluded, never abandoned, never unloved.

For years, I struggled with feeling worthy of that love. But then I realized my worthiness was never the point. Jesus didn’t love me because I had earned it. He loved me because love is who He is. That truth shattered every lie I had believed about myself.

Living in the Reality of Love

Once I embraced this truth, everything shifted.

I stopped striving. No more living under the weight of “trying to be enough.”

Fear lost its grip. When I trusted in God’s love, anxiety and doubt lost their control.

My relationships changed. Experiencing unconditional love allowed me to extend it to others.

I found peace. Instead of questioning my worth, I rested in the truth that I was already deeply loved.

An Invitation to Experience Real Love

This isn’t just a theological discussion. It’s an invitation. An invitation to stop searching for love in things that will never satisfy and start resting in the love that has always been there.

So, I ask you, just as I had to ask myself:

Do you truly believe that God loves you, not just in theory, but personally?

Are there past wounds that have made it hard for you to trust that love?

What would change in your life if you stopped striving for love and simply received it?

God’s love isn’t a transaction. It’s not based on what you do or don’t do. It’s a gift—one that has always been yours.

The moment you embrace it, everything changes.

You are seen. You are known. You are loved.

See D. Scott Cook’s book Alignment of Authentic Love: Living Your Highest Life to learn more.

Do you know Christmas is more about you than Jesus?

It’s true. When Jesus came into the world, the importance of that day wasn't His incarnation, but your inclusion in His incarnation!

It’s the whole reason He became flesh.

Upon His birth, Jesus took all of humanity with Him, past, present, and future. Then, He did what no one could do: Live a purely human life of truth, love, and grace.

Jesus’ victory is your victory

God was pleased to have all of himself live in Christ. God was also pleased to bring everything on earth and in heaven back to himself through Christ. Colossians 1:19-20

The days of waiting and hoping you'll get your act together are over. You're in Him and He's in you. And all that He is, is true of you this moment. It’s not what you DO. It’s what He’s already DONE. It’s a finished work in Christ Jesus.

On that day you will realize that I am in my Father, and you are in me, and I am in you. John 14:20

For we are God's handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do. Ephesians 2:10

Love has been perfected among us in this: that we may have boldness in the day of judgment; because as He is, so are we in this world. I John 4:17

You're one spirit with Him

But whoever is united with the Lord is one with him in spirit. I Corinthians 6:17

Indeed, your very essence is spirit: “The Spirit gives life,” John 6:63. Past behavior, failures, or mistakes don't define you; your union and oneness in Christ do.

Let His Life in you be your focal point, not outward things of this world. Focusing on Him and experiencing Him from within is where authentic transformation happens.

So celebrate the reality of your spiritual union in Christ, and you'll enjoy Christmas every single day.

For with God nothing will be impossible. Luke 1:37

Merry CHRISTmas from Abiding in Agape!

Where focus goes, energy flows.  -Tony Robbins

But whoever is united with the Lord is one with him in spirit. –1 Corinthians 6:17

A few years ago, we had freezing temps in North Texas for 10 days straight (infrequent here!), and a pipe in a wall of our home burst, flooding our living room.

 As water poured out, I could have spent my time trying to clean it up, which would have never ended. Or, I could have turned the water off at the source and then opened the wall to find and fix the leak.

We chose the latter and later learned through our plumber that this particular pipe had never been properly insulated during the home's construction.

No outward work works

This incident illustrates how many of us approach life: We try external fixes for things that require an internal focus. But no amount of external effort for an internal solution ever works.

Eventually, the soul must turn inward to the spirit and let union in Christ be the focus, not an external problem. That’s because our union in Christ, in spirit, is the reality of who we are, “He who is joined to the Lord is one spirit with Him.” (I Corinthians 6:17). Not because we said a prayer or were baptized, or tried harder to be “good.” 

Christ’s completed work does work

God’s work in Christ is a completed work of grace. Grace beyond our attempts to do anything for Him. We’ve always been, and always will be, included in that completed work, which is our union in Christ.

And there, in God's unconditional love, comes the awareness of all you are in this moment, in victory, sufficiency, and completeness in Christ.

Not trying, but done.

Not doing, but rest.

Not becoming, but I AM.

By calling this covenant “new,” he has made the first one obsolete, and what is obsolete and outdated will soon disappear. -Hebrews 8:13

He has made us competent as ministers of a new covenant—not of the letter but of the Spirit; for the letter kills, but the Spirit gives life. -2 Corinthians 3:6

If you were raised in the church or have attended for a while, you've been taught that the Bible is the Word of God—every word, every sentence.

But nothing could be further from the truth. Because the Bible doesn’t claim that for itself!

Read the Scriptures through the finished work of God in Christ Jesus, and you’ll see it too. As you read, remember we’re in the New Covenant, not the Old Covenant. A covenant of grace, not the law.

The Word of God is not a book but a person. The person of Jesus.

The Bible isn’t the Word of God

Jesus is the Word of God. The Logos of God. Logos is Greek for expressing a thought or statement to a conclusion.

Jesus is God's Word TO humanity.

He’s also God's Word ABOUT humanity.

Jesus is the truth about who we are—our very identity. To see Him is to see yourself because, in Him, you find yourself.

As He lived, you lived.

As He died, you died.

And as He rose, you rose in Him.

Your union in Him is the truth about you – and everyone. And everything.

The Bible isn’t our rule book

Our relationship, then, is with the Logos, not a book. The Bible is Christ's servant, not His master. Therefore, it is a spiritual source of encouragement and support in that relationship, not a rule book for life.

Anything that distracts you from your union with Christ and the reality that everything is complete in Him is a distraction.

The Bible isn’t our focus

I’ve heard that reading your Bible (without centering everything on Jesus) is like sorting through a jumbled pile of Legos on the floor. Each piece has its own form. And these forms can be combined and connected in an almost infinite number of shapes. Which shape is correct?

Only when we focus on Jesus, the Word made flesh, can we see all the pieces properly arranged.

“You search the Scriptures, for in them you think you have eternal life; and these are they which testify of Me. But you are not willing to come to Me that you may have life.” John 5:39-40 NKJV

Let Christ in you capture your attention, and everything else will take its proper place.

Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see. -Hebrews 11:1

Faith is not something we do to persuade God, faith is what happens to us when we realize how persuaded God is about us. -Francois Du Toit

God isn’t impressed with your decisions of faith, recommitments to do better in the future, or efforts to stop any bad behaviors. He’ll not love you more because you perform better. Or bless you more because you seem to have gotten your act together.

God’s love isn’t for sale. He can't be bought off by good behavior or holding "Orthodox" Christian beliefs. And He isn’t moved by your long quiet time or consistent prayer practice, nor is He interested in how much scripture you’ve memorized.

None of these things have anything to do with faith.

What is faith?

Faith is simply agreeing about the faithfulness of Christ and His finished work in which you were included long before anything was created. A few scriptures on this point:

I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me. -Galatians 2:20

He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before Him in love, -Ephesians 1:4

Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see. -Hebrews 11:1

As we see, you’re in Christ and Christ’s in you. So faith isn’t your attempt to believe in God. Faith is your agreement about your inclusion!

Think of it this way. Inclusion in Christ is already true of you. You’re just aligning with that truth.

A great illustration about this: One day, a young man went to see Albert Einstein. After a short visit, they walked outside and the man pointed to a tree. "Dr. Einstein, do we know that tree is there?" "Only by faith," Einstein replied.

Fact: The tree is real. Conclusion: The man just needs to agree / trust in this truth. That’s faith.

Same with our inclusion in Christ.

Enjoy your Inheritance

You can now enjoy the Divine playground of Love and grace. You can't mess it up, ruin anything, or anger Him.

This allows your soul to rest in peace, which is your inheritance in Christ. Because your life IS Christ. As Colossians 3:1-4 says:

Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things. For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God. When Christ, who is your life, appears, then you also will appear with him in glory.

Each moment is a Divine opportunity to just be yourself, having agreed to the faithfulness and finished work of God in Christ Jesus.

Are you enjoying the Divine playground of Love and grace? Start today!