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"A woman in the city who was a sinner" – a prostitute – approached Jesus. She knew the gravity of her sin, and she knew too the turmoil of her soul. Both drew her to this One whose words of love and forgiveness had somehow penetrated her heart with a glimmer of hope. His openness to her in her unworthiness gave assurance of His love, and love and gratitude overflowed the cup of her spirit. The turmoil of her soul was displaced by the restful cleansing of God’s forgiveness and her love was compulsive and demonstrative. As the woman entered into the presence of Jesus, she was consumed with her love for Him. Jesus’ admonition in Mark 12:30 to love God with all of her heart, all of her soul, and all of her strength, was instinctively responded to. From the depths of her spirit, her entire being echoed without an audible sound, the words, "I love You. I love You. I love You." Her compulsion to love could not be restrained. Do we come to God like that – even sometimes? Do we live out the ordinary days of our lives like that – even some days?
Our love for God is not a list of rules or a prescribed formula. It is not calculated. "Doing" – even the most noble effort – may not of itself be a demonstration of love for God. "Doing" can be born of human effort. "Love" is born of God. The woman of Luke 7 specifically chose actions that conveyed her love and her gratitude, and although others questioned her motivation and could have thought her actions foolish, Jesus knew her heart and accepted her love. Our chosen actions will be different from hers, but they too must originate from a heart of love. Then our "doing" resounds without an audible word, "I love You. I love You. I love You." What can I do? The answer is seen in the basic disciplines of our faith, but those disciplines speak only of legality if they do not flow from my love for God. The praise and worship of my lips, both privately and publicly. Opening my Bible to read and learn. Prayers of concern for others and for myself. Obedience in my ordinary – where God has placed me. Obedience marked by purity, integrity, and choosing to love others. Choosing to be sensitive to God’s Spirit. Choosing to serve in ministry. Choosing – because I can do nothing else. "God, I love You!"
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