God knows your Love Language!
We've reached the end of another covid-saturated year, a year when a microscopic virus has once again impacted our world in a myriad different ways. Apart from the obvious changes to our lives, there've been other glitches and twitches... for instance, a deficit of positive emotions that have been stolen the world over, by an invisible thief.
Some years ago, Gary Chapman wrote a bestselling book that described the way humans beings experience love. He called them the five Love Languages. Unfortunately, our love tanks have diminished in content in the last little while due to the stresses of covid, and many of us may be now running on empty. Huggers have felt the lack of physical contact. Extroverts have missed recharging their batteries through social interactions. Gift recipients may not be as eager to receive what might carry covid germs. For those in need of quality time with loved ones, their yearnings have had to take a back seat, especially for those who live alone. Covid has even impacted our words - a lot of mudslinging on social media has become part of the new normal. And acts of service? They too been curtailed through lockdowns and the need to keep our distance from one another.
What is your love language, may I ask? Affirming words bless me as nothing else does. Yes, kind words, written or spoken fill my love tank to the brim. A card that conveys a positive message has much power. I'm grateful to my beloved who's a brilliant card-giver and fills my tank regularly. My second love language is Physical Touch. I often ask my beloved for a hug and I am never disappointed. I also reach for his hand when we watch TV! One love tank filled!
Some time ago, when facing a tough situation, a close friend sent me 'Isaiah 41:13' to encourage me. I didn't pay much attention to it until the next day, when another email arrived from a different friend. That email too contained the very same verse. It had to be a God-incidence and I pricked up my ears.
"For I am the Lord your God who
takes hold of your right hand and
says to you, Do not fear; I will help you."
Isaiah 41:13
'Thank you God." I whispered. "And Papa", I added. "Do you think you could send it to me a third time (if I'm not being greedy), so I know it's You who are speaking?"
A few hours later, as I scrolled through Facebook, there it was again. I received His promise, a smile on my lips and the bright embers of hope warming my heart. Over the next few weeks the same verse appeared again and again in my FB news feed, as if God wanted to top me up - I felt I was under a refreshing deluge - a waterfall of His goodness and mercy and love. As I meditated on the verse, many truths seeped into my soul. If God was holding my right Hand, He was near me. If the Creator of the Universe was helping me, I had nothing to fear. I had a partner in the Lord of lords and the King of kings. Besides, if my right hand was in His - I couldn't do a thing, because my dominant hand was out of action. It meant I had to trust Him. It meant I had to let go and let God.
And then ... like a key that was turned, a stirring truth clicked into place and my door to joy was opened.
Words of affirmation - He was with me. He was helping me. I didn't
need to fear.
Physical touch - He was holding my hand.
Through the promise of Isaiah 41:13, my love tank was filled. But not only that. There was more!
It also meant that ... drumroll please ... GOD KNEW MY LOVE LANGUAGE.
Amazing!
Wow God! Wow!
Yes, God knows my love language. He knows your love language too and speaks it fluently. Does the future in this new normal look bleak and uncertain? Do you feel anxious about what lies ahead? Remember dear friend, that your Creator knows you intimately. He loves you with a fierce beautiful protective love. He is able to work things out for your good. So as you draw near to Him, you will receive all you need to fill your emotional tank to the brim.
"The kingdom of God is ... righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy Spirit" Romans 14:17
Covid may have changed our world, but the Lord never changes. In spite of all the uncertainty and fear that swirls around us like a fog that threatens to steal our vision, we can still look ahead with confidence. As children of God, our confidence comes from the One who knows us, loves us and the One who will make all things right again. We can trust Him. Today. Tomorrow. And for all eternity. This special season we remember that He sent Jesus. To bring life. And His life was the light of mankind.
For I am the Lord your God who takes hold of your right hand and says to you,
Do not fear; I will help you. Isaiah 41:13
In JESUS was life, and that life was the light of all mankind.
The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it. John 1:4-5
