I´m slowly coming to realize why people love Fall. The leaves trade their matching greens for uniquely red, yellow, brown and orange shades. The weather returns to a desirable middle ground, not too hot, not too cold, with just a slight crisp in the air. That crisp that gives wind to what is next.

All these things join together to create this anticipation, almost longing….

Yes, summer was great. It was great getting out,  enjoying the warmth… but now, now the anticipation for retreat builds. Retreat into the coziness and warmth of home. Retreat into a peaceful quiet. Retreat to recharge. 

That got me thinking… Where do I retreat? Where do I find that restful, peaceful quiet that enables me to recharge? Where would I like to find it??

In the arms of the one I love.

Now, I’m not talking about that mystery somebody who has yet to make his or her stunning appearance in your life, or that prince or princess charming who swept you off your feet and continues to (sometimes) do so. Though their arms may offer a retreat and a welcomed rest, sometimes it’s not enough. I’m talking about something deeper, something unconditional.

Scarcely had I passed them when I found him whom my soul loves.

(Song of Songs 3:4)

The one whom my soul loves….

….Give me The One my soul delights in…

The one who fills that empty space and longing within me. (Ecclesiastes 3:11) The one who knew me and loved me first, even while I was not yet fully formed in the secret darkness of my mother´s womb. (Psalm 139:1-18)

But how can I actually  retreat into God´s arms? It all sounds good in theory and flows like a well used Christian-ism, but how do I do this practically?

Therein lies the problem: How do I do…

Admittedly, I often find myself here. I want so badly to do what is right.  I want to run the race. I want to endure.  So what do I do? I do more. I read more, try to pray more, try to serve more, try to memorize more, try to follow an old formula that worked in the past. I do and do and try and try… creating an even more pressing need for that rest and retreat.

What’s the solution?

God´s Word says that we love because He loved us first. (1 John 4:19)

Our love only exists because of His love for us.

Stop and think about that a moment.

Our love exists ONLY  because of His love for us. Our love exists, our love came to be, our love was birthed because of His love.

The only reason He is the one our souls love and delight in is because He loves us and delights in us. In us, just as we are. In us, just as we were in the secret place, before anyone knew we were being formed…. but He knew us and He loved us…. He loved us before all of the doing. 

In all of our doing,  we often lose sight of this basic truth of God’s love.

How does God love?

• Faithfully (Deuteronomy 7:9; Psalm 33:5; Romans 3:3-4)

The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases;

    his mercies never come to an end;

 they are new every morning;

    great is your faithfulness. (Lamentations 3:22-23)

• Selflessly (Matthew 20:28; Luke 22:42; John 3:16; 2 Corinthians 8:9; Philippians 2:5-8)

Greater love has no one than this,

that someone lay down his life for his friends. (John 15:13)

• Relentlessly ( 2 Chronicles 16:9; Ephesians 3:18)

For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord. (Romans 8:38-39)

• Perfectly (Romans 5:8; 1 Corinthians 13: 4-8; ; 1 John 4:18)

 Anyone who does not love does not know God,

because God is love. (1 John 4:8)

God is Love. As we abide in God, our love grows more perfect. ( 1 John 4:16-17)

That´s the key, abiding

Abide: verb- to remain, continue, stay;

to have one´s abode, dwelling, residence; 

to continue in a particular condition, attitude, relationship

Living in God´s love. Living from what He has already done for us. Living from the security of knowing we can not outrun His love.

And may you have the power to know, as all God´s people should,  how wide, how long, how high, and how deep His love is. (Ephesians 3:18)

Living in awe of Him, attuned to His Word working in every little detail. Remembering and giving thanks for what He has done.

Who can list the glorious miracles of the Lord? Who can ever praise Him enough? (Psalm 106:2)

Paul tells us to never grow weary of giving God praise. Why does he instruct us to do this?

“Whatever happens…rejoice in the Lord. I never get tired of telling you these things, and I do it to safeguard your faith.” (Philippians 3:1)

He does it to safeguard and protect our faith. He knows that rejoicing in God draws us into that cozy warm retreat of our first love.

Jesus told them, “This is the only work God wants from you:

Believe in the one he has sent.” (John 6:29)

Our only “to do” is to abide in God´s love. To believe in the one whom He has sent.

As we do, our love is made more perfect. Made to match the perfect, relentless, unfailing love of Our Father, The One who loved us first.