Day 11: Living in God's Love
Part 2: Union With God
As you practice God’s presence in your everyday life, you begin to sense that God is not only with you and for you, but God is working with you to draw both of you closer together. In Part 2, we will look at some characteristics of our relationship with God that reflect the practice of His presence as a “team effort.”
Scripture: John 15:9–10 (WEB)
“Even as the Father has loved me, I also have loved you. Remain in my love. If you keep my commandments, you will remain in my love; even as I have kept my Father’s commandments, and remain in his love.”
What does it mean to be in love? Not just romantically or emotionally, but spiritually – with God?
Jesus tells us very clearly: the Father loves Him – completely and unconditionally – and He loves us. He invites us to be in love, and to remain in that love, to that same extent.
Remaining doesn’t mean we have to work for, strive for, or yearn for God’s love. Remaining means just to rest in the connection we have with God. We stay connected like a branch on a vine. Like a branch, we are held, nourished and cared for by our closeness to the source of unconditional love.
This connection with God invites a response. Jesus said, “If you keep my commandments, you remain in my love.” We remain, not because we must do so to earn love, but because our love for God overflows as obedience – keeping His commandments.
We willingly and lovingly stay true to these commandments out of a desire to please the source of true love: God the Father living through us. Remaining is a daily, “Yes” to the desires of God – a quiet surrender and faith filled walk that says, “I trust you because I know you love me.”
Practice for Today: Abide with Intention
Create a simple ritual to remain in God’s love today. Try one of the following:
Write a short love letter to God on a card. Read the card throughout the day.
Repeat the “As You Go” Prayer below during moments of stress or distraction.
Ask yourself throughout the day: “Am I remaining or striving right now?”
The more we desire to stay connected, the more God’s love directs our thoughts and choices.
Journaling Prompt
“What does it mean to me to ‘remain’ in God’s love? Where in my life do I feel disconnected—and how can I return today?”
Closing Blessing
Remain today in the profound desire to love and be loved –
The love that wells up in you is the love that fills heaven.
As you remain in this love, grow in peace, in joy, and in the confidence
that nothing can separate you from the heart of God.
Pray As You Go
Inhale: “You love me…”
Exhale: “…and I remain in that love.”
For us who are lazy and also need more help, consider this: add with, Pray As You Go a simple example of words to complete the Inhale and Exhale phrase . Please excuse my laziness but there maybe other folks like me that need a little more with examples...