How to Love God

Do you remember the ’70s rock opera, Jesus Christ Superstar? I saw a TV version not long ago. Though the story line is iffy theologically, I love the music by Andrew Lloyd Webber and lyrics by Tim Rice, especially, “I Don’t Know How to Love Him.” Jesus told us to love God with all our heart, soul, strength and mind, but how do we do that? When I tell God I love him, what kind of love is that? Is it need-love only? I love God because he gives me what I need? If that’s the case, I can’t call myself a mature Christian. Love can be shown by giving gifts or offerings, but God already has everything. Through worship? But he doesn’t need our worship either. God doesn’t need anything; he is all give, all outgoing in his love for us. All he wants is a relationship with his children, you and me. But, there is something we do have to give up at times. We have to give back to him something he gave us that we prize most highly—our will. Thankfully, our Savior led the way: “Lord, not my will, but yours.”