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7 Beautiful Ways We Can Show God That We Love Him

“Well, He knows I love Him. I don’t have to show it.” 

“Okay, but how would I show Him?”

“Would He even know it was me showing my love for Him?”

All these statements have one thing in common: they are all statements regarding the love we would show to a God who loves us without limits.

We can be tricked, especially in this world, to believe that God is either too busy to consider anything we have to offer Him, or that He is already the epitome of love and so there is nothing we could offer Him in return for what He has done for us.

But there are ways we can show our love for our heavenly Father, and they don’t require you to have millions of dollars or to be the “perfect” Christian. These seven things are simple but meaningful ways we can demonstrate our love and appreciation for God that will speak volumes to Him personally: giving Him praise, praying to Him, reading the Bible, loving those around us, tithing, fasting, and being hopeful.

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Why Should We Let God Know That We Love Him?

When the question comes up of why we should let God know of our love for Him, some may not have an answer, while others may have the right answer that is not the best answer. Some might say that we “owe” God so much because of what Jesus did on the cross for us, that our love should be given to Him whether we feel it toward Him or not.

However, the real reason we should let God know we love Him is that He first loved us. As the Bible states, “We love Him because He first loved us” ( 1 John 4:19 ). Not only did God give us His only son, Jesus, to love us and die as a sacrifice for our sins, but He loves us because He created us and loves us despite our flaws.

From the time He breathed life into Adam’s body, to the time He is with each person as they make their journey to heaven , His love is unconditional and never fades. Sure, He can be disappointed in our actions or hurt by what we say or don’t say to Him, but His love is constant and doesn’t depend on whether we are good believers or not.

Because He loved us first, we want Him to know we love Him right back. We want Him to know that we love Him, even when we believe no one else loves us or that we don’t even love ourselves. It is then that we understand what it means to love unconditionally.

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Seven Ways We Can Show God That We Love Him

1. Giving God Praise

No matter what situation we are in, giving God the glory through praise helps us show our love and appreciation for Him. The situation could be one that is happy, or one that is challenging. But when we lift our hands up and thank God in worship and praise for His involvement, our hearts are lifted and our eyes focus on God’s purpose in the situation.

“Therefore, I will give thanks to You, O Lord, among the Gentiles and sing praises to Your name” ( 2 Sam. 22:50 ).

2. Praying to God

Prayer is one of the strongest forms of intimacy we can have with God, sharing everything on our hearts in prayer so only God knows. When we pray, our hearts connect with God, and we show our love in sharing our highs, lows, and questions about the paths we are on. What is even better is that prayer provides the bridge for God to speak to us about the situations in our lives, directing our steps and encouraging our hearts.

“Now this is the confidence that we have in Him, that if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us” ( 1 John 5:14 ).

3. Reading the Bible

Nothing reminds us more of God’s love, or the love people have for God, than reading the Bible. We have front-row seats to witnessing displays of God’s love and provision for us, as well as different ways people have shown love to God that we can mirror in our own faith walks.

“For whatever things were written before were written for our learning, that we through the patience and comfort of the Scriptures might have hope ” ( Rom. 15:4 ).

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4. Loving Those Around Us

We show God love when we show others love, as God shares countless times in the Bible that loving Him means loving His creation, those around us. Just as He shows grace, patience , and mercy to all mankind, we should extend the same to the people in our lives, and be encouraged when they extend the same to us.

“A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another ; as I have loved you, that you also love one another” ( John 13:34 ).

Some may question tithing as an act of love toward God, but it’s a sacrifice to God in that our love can be tied to how much money we have or what it buys us. When we tithe each week, we are letting God know that our appreciation for money doesn’t come close to the love and appreciation we have for Him. By tithing, we let God know that our love isn’t connected to dollar bills, but in the knowledge that God loves and provides for us.

“Honor the Lord with your possessions, and with the firstfruits of all your increase; so your barns will be filled with plenty, and your vats will overflow with new wine” ( Prov. 3:9-10 ).

Sacrificing food in fasting can for some be the greatest sacrifice we can make, giving up one area of our lives that without, we would die. However, when you fast, it demonstrates to God that you love Him enough to push away the need to eat, and bring your attention squarely on Him. Fasting shows our love for God in that while it is hard to not eat when our stomachs are growling, we crave His guidance and love more.

“But you, when you fast, anoint your head and wash your face so that you do not appear to men to be fasting, but to your Father who is in the secret place; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you openly” ( Matt. 6:17-18 ).

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7. Have Hope

When we feel the love of God in us, we can’t help but be hopeful in the situation we are in, either good or bad. We have this resilience, this endurance, this persistence, to remain hopeful and see God’s blessing come through to us. We choose to hope in hopeless circumstances because we know that God always prevails and always provides for His children.

“Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful” ( Heb. 10:23 ).

A Prayer of Worship to God

When we show our love to God, it makes Him happy, encouraged, and appreciative, so let us combine two ways of loving God by praying in worship to Him:

Heavenly Father,

We are so thankful and appreciative of Your love for us, that despite how we are each day, You love us nonetheless. We humbly come before You to show our love for You in return, our praise and worship of You for all that You provide for us every moment of our lives. We hope that as our day moves forward, we show our love for You in the ways mentioned here, always remembering that You are who we worship and adore. Thank you for Your love, guidance, and grace.

In Jesus’s name. Amen.

Making the choice to love God, who we can’t see, touch, or hear, can be a difficult task to do each day. But there are ways we can show our love to God, however small they might be.

The seven ways mentioned here (tithing, fasting , being hopeful, loving those around us, giving God praise, reading the Bible, and prayer) are recognized ways mentioned in the Bible that people before us showed their love and appreciation for God, and we can do the same.

Because as we take moments in our day to love God for all He is to us, He, in return, has in store love and blessings He can’t wait to shower over us.

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20 Ways to Love God with All Your Heart, Soul, Mind & Strength

In the Gospel of Mark chapter 12, the evangelist recorded a conversation between a scribe and the Lord Jesus, in which that man asked Him which was the first commandment of all. Jesus answered him:

“ The first of all the commandments is, Hear, O Israel; The Lord our God is one Lord: And thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind, and with all thy strength: this is the first commandment .” (Mark 12:29-30, King James Version – KJV).

Here are 20 things we need to do to obey this commandment of Jesus.

1. Understand What Love Is from a Biblical Perspective

The word “love” has several meanings and, as such, can be applied to different situations. For example, there is the kind of love between a mother and her child, between friends, the romantic love between a man and a woman, etc.

When we talk about the great love that Jesus referred to, some Scripture references translate it as “steadfast love.” It is also called “perfect love,” “covenant love,” “authentic love,” and “unconditional love.”

Note that biblical love is not only a feeling because feelings come and go. Such love comes from who God is (1 John 4:8), and it is practical (1 John 3:1, 4:9-10). So, biblical love is a decision to act that comes from a deep affection towards God.

2. Acknowledge Our Dependence on the Holy Spirit

We need to admit our inability to fulfill the great commandment of loving God by ourselves. The sinful nature of human beings makes it impossible for any of us to love like that. We depend on God to be able to love because He is love (1 John 4:8). We can only love Him because he loved us first (1 John 4:19).

Love is part of the fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22-23), so only through the Holy Spirit can we truly love God and our neighbor as the Word of God commands us to (Mark 12:29-31). Therefore, we need to pray and ask His help to develop His love in our lives.

3. Love God with All Our Heart

Jesus’s words from the good answer He gave to the scribe about the great commandment are a quote from Deuteronomy 6:4-5. It starts by telling us to love God with our whole hearts. Our contemporary culture understands the “heart” as the center of emotions, but the Jewish culture in Jesus’s times understood it as more than that. For them, the heart of man was the center of the will (Proverbs 4:23).

We can think of the heart as the place of our spiritual life, thoughts, feelings, motivations, reason, and understanding. Our decisions, our morals, and our will come from it. So, loving God with all our heart is to have a strong desire and will towards Him.

4. Love God with All Our Soul

God’s Word also tells us to love our Heavenly Father with our whole soul. The Hebrew word for “soul” gives the idea of the breath of life. The Greek word gives a more global idea of the inner self, the individual, the mind (in the sense of our deep thoughts). We can say that it is the non-physical part of the human being (Psalm 16:10; Ezekiel 18:4).

It is what defines our personhood, who we are. So, loving God with our whole soul is to love Him with everything we are, is to find our inner self inclined to Him, seeking Him, having Him at the center of our affections.

5. Love God with All Our Mind

God’s people must also love Him with their whole minds. The biblical meaning of “mind” is the intellect. The original Hebrew text of Deuteronomy 6:4-5 doesn’t include “mind,” it was considered by the Jewish culture as part of the soul.

This part of the great commandment shows how important it is that our intelligence is submitted to God and finds satisfaction in obeying Him. Romans 12:2 reminds us that we need to be transformed by the renewal of our minds to be able to test and approve God’s will – that is how we can love God with our whole minds.

6. Love God with All Our Strength

Jesus Christ also told us to love our God with our whole strength. We find the word “strength” in the Bible a lot of times, and most of them refer to the power of God. Strength refers to the physical aspect of loving God. It is how we show that we love Him and do everything we can to put our love for God into action. If our inner motivation and desire are to love God, our actions (the strength of our bodies) will show it.

7. Love Jesus above Everyone and Everything Else

Christ Jesus told His disciples that anyone who wants to follow Him must love Him more than everything and everyone else (Matthew 10:37; Luke 14:26). It doesn’t mean that we won’t love other people, on the contrary. Only by loving Him can we truly love others. But if we love something or someone more than God (Father, Son, and Holy Spirit), it is idolatry.

The Bible says that the Lord is a jealous God (Exodus 20:4-5; Deuteronomy 4:24), which means that He requires that our affections be placed correctly, that is, on Him. Nothing should have a higher place in our affections than God.

8. Love God with Practical Actions

We must keep in mind that biblical love is not only about feelings. When we read how God expressed His love for us in the well-known verse of John 3:16, we see that God did something for us – He gave His Son to die for us so we could have eternal life. There is no greater love than that (John 15:13). So, when we love someone, we do something about it. Biblical love is action, not only feelings. Therefore, we need to learn how to put our love for God into practice. We do that by obeying His commands.

9. Obey God’s Commands

In a short definition, we can say that loving God is to obey His commandments (John 14:15; 1 John 5:3). The Lord Jesus questioned the people who called Him “Lord” but didn’t do what He had told them to do (Luke 6:46). If He is the Lord of our lives, it means that He has ultimate authority over us, so we do what He tells us to do. It is simple, but it is not easy because our sinful nature fights against it (the apostle Paul explained how that works in Romans 7:14-25). That’s why we need His help to obey Him and make Him the Lord of our lives.

10. Love Our Neighbor

When Jesus said that we must love God with our whole being, He added that we must love our neighbor as we love ourselves (Mark 12:31, quoting from Leviticus 19:18). The apostle Paul wrote that this commandment fulfills the whole Law of God from the Old Testament (Galatians 5:14).

God shows grace and expresses His love for the creation by giving good things to everyone every single day, no matter if they are evil or good (Matthew 5:43-46; James 1:17). As children of God, we should do the same. We express our love for God by obeying and imitating Him. So, we must love other people, even if they don’t deserve it – that’s what God does for every single person every day. In practical terms, we love others by doing to them what we would have them do to us, even if they don’t (Matthew 7:12).

11. Develop a Daily Bible Reading Habit

We need the knowledge of God to be able to love Him and obey Him. To do that, we need to know Him, know what He did, and know His commandments. That’s why we need to have daily Bible reading as part of our routine. We need a moment when we stop and focus on God and hear His voice from Scripture.

Here are some suggestions to help you create a daily Bible reading habit:

• Schedule a quiet alone time, preferably the first thing in the morning.
• Choose a Bible format that works best for you (digital or paper, translation). Don’t be afraid to test many options or to change them after a while.
• Choose a reading plan to guide you. Start with topical reading plans that have shorter daily readings. Or, if you prefer, read one chapter a day, starting with the New Testament.
• Write down at least one thing you learned from that reading.

12. Develop a Daily Prayer Habit

Along with daily Bible reading, God’s people need to engage in daily prayer to God to mature in their personal relationship with Him. The more we know about God from the Bible (by reading and studying it), the more we learn to love Him. And the more we talk to Him in prayer, the more our relationship deepens. And the love we have for Him is strengthened by prayer.

You don’t need to limit yourself to one single prayer time in the day. The Bible tells us to pray continually (1 Thessalonians 5:17), so feel free to pray whenever you need or feel like it. But make sure to have specific prayer moments every day. Keep in mind that those are the times when you meet your Beloved.

Here are some suggestions to get you started or to improve your prayer time:

• Set aside 15 minutes to pray in the morning, after waking up, and at the end of the day, before going to bed.
• Choose a quiet place (Matthew 6:5-6).
• Have a conversational tone.
• After praying, be silent for a few minutes and listen. Let God talk to you.
• Make a prayer list so you can remember what you need to pray. Also, write down how God answered those prayers.
• Study examples of prayers from the Bible (Matthew 6:9-13; Luke 22:41-42; the Psalms).
• Pray in the name of Jesus Christ (John 14:13-14), which means, pray by His authority, so His will be done, not yours (1 John 5:14-15).

13. Study the Bible Diligently

You already know that you need to read the Bible and meditate on it daily. But you can go further if you want to pursue more profound spiritual growth, and that’s through Bible study. Here are some suggestions to do it:

• Use resources to help you explore the text better, like Study Bibles, dictionaries, Bible commentaries, etc.
• Study with a partner or in small groups.
• Attend Bible classes in your local church.
• Attend Bible classes from reputable institutions.
• Pay attention to the sermons and study the biblical text further by yourself.

14. Praise and Worship the Lord

When we talk about praising and worshipping the Lord God, the first thing that comes to our minds is usually singing songs. It is a good and biblical way to do it, but it is not the only way. So, we need to understand what praise and worship mean, so they can help us love God more.

To praise the Lord is to exalt who He is and what He has done (Psalm 150:2) and be thankful for that. It is not about us – it is completely about Him. Praising Him leads us to worship Him, which is to adore and honor Him. It is an act of reverence. Praise and worship are powerful expressions of our love and admiration for the Lord.

15. Express Gratitude to God

The more we seek reasons to express our gratitude for what God has done for us, the more we love Him. The Bible says that everything good comes from Him (James 1:17). Thus, we need to pay attention to the good things we have and intentionally thank God for them. That’s when we see the grace of God in our lives, and we learn to love Him more (Luke 7:36-50).

16. Spread the Message of the Gospel

Jesus told his disciples (including us) to preach the Gospel to everyone in the world (Mark 16:15). Loving is obeying, so we need to do what He told us to do. We must start by preaching to people around us.

You don’t have to be a preacher or a missionary to engage in telling people about the good news of Jesus Christ. Whether or not you have the calling to go to a specific place to do it, you need to do your best to fulfill this mission that the Lord assigned to all of us.

17. Be Involved in Discipleship

Jesus commanded us to make disciples (Matthew 28:19). To obey His command, we need to be discipled by a more mature believer and, as we grow in faith, start discipling newer Christians. Keep in mind that we must make disciples for Christ Jesus, not for ourselves. We should teach people to obey what the Lord has taught us (Matthew 28:20) and follow Him. This is done by example, not only by speech. We must live as Jesus wants us to, so others will learn (1 Corinthians 11:1, Ephesians 5:1).

18. Be Involved in Missions

Christians are called to be witnesses of Jesus and preach the Gospel in our local cities and unto the ends of the earth (Acts 1:8). However, not everyone has the calling to go to other nations. Even if you don’t, you can still do something to advance the Gospel throughout the world.

Here are some suggestions:

• Pray for the missionaries.
• Spread the word about missions in your local community.
• Talk to your local church leaders about adopting a missionary.
• Support Bible translation organizations.
• Be a local volunteer for a missionary organization.
• Volunteer for a local refugee ministry.
• Serve on a short-term mission trip.

19. Express the Love of God by Serving Others

Jesus said that He didn’t come to be served but to serve (Mark 10:45). He expects us, his followers, to do the same to others. Serving those around us is another way to express our love for God and to care about the things He cares about. See some practical examples in James 1:27, Isaiah 1:17, Psalm 82:3, Matthew 25:31-46.

20. Be Active in Your Local Church

Loving others begins in the church but is not limited to it (Galatians 6:10). So, don’t just be a mere churchgoer. Get involved with the beloved brothers and sisters in your community. It is not only about taking tasks inside the church building but also about serving your community with what you have to offer (talents, time, resources, etc.). Create and nurture relationships. By doing this, not only will you obey many commandments (Galatians 5:13; John 13:34, 15:12; Romans 12:10; 1 John 3:18, 4:11,20), but you will also express your love for God’s own beloved children.

The greatest commandment of all time teaches us that the first thing we need to learn in our Christian life is to love God with our whole being. This important commandment of God requires total commitment to Him and a decision of the will from the children of God to accomplish it. Follow the suggestions in this post to seek a more intimate relationship with God, and you will learn to love Him more and more.

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Religious Educator Vol. 21 No. 3 · 2020

Feeling god’s love, lindon j. robison.

Lindon J. Robison, "Feeling God's Love," Religious Educator 21, no. 3 (2020): 175–84.

Lindon J. Robison ( [email protected] )  was a professor of agricultural and food resource economics at Michigan State University when this was published and a former seminary and institute instructor.

“Where Love Is, There God Is Also”

—Leo Tolstoy

Some of my family and friends have separated themselves from the gospel. Their reasons vary. However, they often share a common concern: if God loves all his children, all the time, everywhere, and no matter what—why can’t I feel it? In response to this question, I wrote this essay. In doing so, I found President Russell M. Nelson’s conference talk on divine love to be an important resource. President Nelson states that “while divine love can be called perfect, infinite, enduring, and universal, it cannot correctly be characterized as unconditional .” [1] In grappling with the concept of conditional love and hoping to comfort loved ones who struggle to feel God’s love, I suggest that the reason we cannot feel God’s love is not because he loves us less but because we cannot access it.

The focus of what follows describes the nature of God’s love and how we can feel it more. I begin by distinguishing between God’s love—which is perfect, infinite, enduring, and universal—and how we experience his love—which is conditional. Then I point out that we sometimes mistakenly associate the evidence of God’s love with our material conditions and experiences when the evidence that God loves us all—everywhere, all the time, no matter what—is the Atonement of Jesus Christ. This essay also addresses how obedience and repentance can increase our access to God’s love, how to feel God’s love even and especially during hard times, the price we must pay to experience divine love, and the single requirement for feeling God’s love—loving others.

Defining Divine Love

What is divine love, and what distinguishes it from other kinds of love (namely, parental love, friendship, or romantic love)? [2] Sympathy , [3] empathy , [4] and compassion [5] are all Topical Guide synonyms for love . Combined, they define our love for others as the state or condition of having internalized their well-being. This definition of love implies that there are as many kinds of love as there are loving relationships. Adam Smith wrote, “Every man feels his own pleasures and his own pains more sensibly than those of other people. . . . After himself, the members of his own family, those who usually live in the same house with him, his parents, his children, his brothers and sisters, are naturally the objects of his warmest affection.” [6] Of the different kinds of love, divine love, the state or condition in which God has internalized our well-being, is the highest form of love because it is perfect, infinite, enduring, and universal.

The scriptures teach that to internalize another’s well-being requires that we somehow dwell in that person: “God is love; and he that dwelleth in love dwelleth in God and God in him” (1 John 4:16). One important consequence of love—of dwelling in each other—is that their success, happiness, and sufferings become our own. [7] Indeed, God’s divine love means that his work and glory is our progress toward achieving immortality and eternal life (see Moses 1:39).

Examples of Dwelling in Each Other

Adam and Eve internalized each other’s well-being, leading Adam to exult, “This is now bone of my bones, and flesh of my flesh. . . . Therefore shall a man leave his father and his mother, and shall cleave unto his wife: and they shall be one flesh” (Genesis 2:23–24). The Apostle Paul characterized the Saints in his day as dwelling in each other by comparing them to members of the same body. As members of the same body, each member cared for the other so that “whether one member suffer, all the members suffer with it; or one member be honoured, all the members rejoice with it” (1 Corinthians 12:26). The sons of Mosiah loved those beyond the borders of their families and members of their faith to include the Lamanites, their enemies: “They could not bear that any human soul should perish; yea, even the very thoughts that any soul should endure endless torment did cause them to quake and tremble” (Mosiah 28:3; see also Alma 26:33).

Dimensions of Divine Love

There is a difference between God’s ways and our ways—between God’s divine love and our love. Jesus taught his twelve Apostles: “A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another” (John 13:34). Loving others is certainly not a new commandment. However, loving others “as I have loved you” certainly is. [8] Keeping this new commandment requires us to distinguish between our love and divine love expressed and exemplified in the Savior Jesus Christ. Consider the four dimensions President Nelson used to describe God’s love. [9]

Divine love is perfect. Perfect can be defined as free from fault or complete (see Matthew 5:48). Perfect love is pure and unstained by selfishness. Lehi reflected this quality of love when he declared, “I have none other object save it be the everlasting welfare of your souls” (2 Nephi 2:30). Perfect love is manifest in all our senses. It enlightens our mind and enables us to confound the wise (see Doctrine and Covenants 6:15; and 1 Corinthians 1:27). It is delicious (see Alma 32:28). It frees us from fear (see 1 John 4:18). It strengthens us beyond our natural abilities (see 1 Nephi 7:17–18).

Divine love is infinite. Infinite implies limitless or endless in space, extent, or size. God’s infinite love was manifest by his infinite atoning sacrifice that, like his love, is infinite. As a result, there is no suffering, disappointment, separation, or pain that God cannot understand and heal (see Alma 7:11–12).

Divine love endures. The risen Lord taught, “For the mountains shall depart and the hills be removed, but my kindness shall not depart from thee, neither shall the covenant of my peace be removed” (3 Nephi 22:10; quoting Isaiah 54:10). [10] Indeed, charity, or the pure love of Christ, “never faileth” (1 Corinthians 13:8). And while an earthly mother may forget her suckling child, the Lord promises, “yet will I not forget thee” (Isaiah 49:15).

Divine love is universal. Mormon recorded, “Now my brethren, we see that God is mindful of every people, whatsoever land they may be in; yea, he numbereth his people, and his bowels of mercy are over all the earth” (Alma 26:37).

Together, these descriptions of divine love paint a comforting picture of a Father in Heaven whose love for us transcends our circumstances and even our bad choices, a love that has power to reach out after us and save us—whether in life or in death.

Christ’s Atonement: The Expression of God’s Love

The greatest example of love was the Atonement of Jesus Christ. “Greater love hath no man” than he who “lay[s] down his life for his friends” (John 15:13). His perfect, infinite, enduring, and universal love enabled him to dwell in each of us and vicariously suffer for our sins and mistakes and to rejoice with us when we draw near to him (see 3 Nephi 17:20). Indeed, his atoning sacrifice can be described as perfect and pure, [11] infinite, [12] enduring (see Isaiah 49:15), and universal. [13] Our response to his perfect, infinite, enduring, and universal sacrifice should be, “I stand all amazed at the love Jesus offers me.” [14]

Some separate themselves from God’s love because they see the uneven distribution of life’s privileges that appear unrelated to individual choices and blame God for the inequities. From their observations, they conclude that either God has favorites or God doesn’t exist. Either conclusion is false and distances us from his love. One’s share of wealth, power, education, and freedom do not measure God’s love. Otherwise, we would conclude that the wealthy are more righteous, the powerful are God’s chosen, and the educated and free are God’s beloved. The scriptures teach otherwise.

Mary taught that the Lord “hath shewed strength with his arm; he hath scattered the proud in the imagination of their hearts. He hath put down the mighty from their seats, and exalted them of low degree. He hath filled the hungry with good things; and the rich he hath sent empty away” (Luke 1:51–53).

The world is a very unfair place without the Atonement. But in the Atonement, we find the one sure egalitarian measure of God’s love. He suffered and offered salvation for each of us—all of us—equally. Nephi taught: “Behold, hath the Lord commanded any that they should not partake of his goodness? Behold I say unto you, Nay; but all men are privileged the one like unto the other, and none are forbidden. . . . He inviteth them all to come unto him and partake of his goodness; and he denieth none that come unto him, black and white, bond and free, male and female; and he remembereth the heathen; and all are alike unto God, both Jew and Gentile” (2 Nephi 26:28, 33). Truly, God is no respecter of persons.

Experiencing Divine Love through Obedience and Repentance

Some of what we experience is related to our choices. President Nelson taught, “The full flower of divine love and our greatest blessings from that love are conditional—predicated upon our obedience to eternal law.” [15] Nephi likewise explained: “Behold, the Lord esteemeth all flesh in one; [but] he that is righteous is favored of God” (1 Nephi 17:35).

Those conditions that increase our capacity to experience God’s love (namely, faith, repentance, baptism, and enduring obedience to his commandments) are themselves an indication of his love. Because he wants us to be like him, he allows us room to incrementally come into a fullness of his love as we try, fail, and try again. Sometimes we make poor choices and experience unhappy consequences. Yet experiencing the difficult consequences of our poor choices are evidence of God’s love because they are designed to divert us away from the path of destruction and to protect the innocent. For God “doeth not anything save it be for the benefit of the world; for he loveth the world, even that he layeth down his own life that he may draw all men unto him” (2 Nephi 26:24). Those who choose to keep God’s commandments and continue in God receive “more light; and that light groweth brighter and brighter” (Doctrine and Covenants 50:24) until they are “glorified in truth” and know “all things” (93:28).

These scriptures teach us that the “blessings” that come from obedience have little to do with worldly wealth, power, or opportunity and more to do with our access to God dwelling within us. Elder Dallin H. Oaks taught that these blessing are accessed through obedience to divine law: “The love of God does not supersede His laws and His commandments, and the effect of God’s laws and commandments does not diminish the purpose and effect of His love.” [16]

The parable of the prodigal son emphasizes the connection between God’s love, our choices, and what we experience. The prodigal son’s father loved him, even when he withdrew from his presence and squandered his inheritance. Yet the father knew that exercising agency was required to becoming righteous. So, he let him choose. But the father continued to love his son even when he made bad choices. And when his son repented and returned, the father rushed to meet him and called for a celebration to welcome him home (see Luke 15:11–32).

Keeping God’s commandments not only increases our access to God’s love but demonstrates our own love for God and others. We begin by keeping God’s first and second great commandments to love God and others (see Matthew 22:38–39). Then, as we dwell in others and God in us, we naturally keep God’s other commandments because that is how we bless others. We don’t lie, steal, envy, murder, violate the law of chastity, or commit similar acts because we want to bless rather than burden our neighbors—because their well-being has become our own (see Exodus 20:1–17). Emphasizing that keeping the two great commandments leads naturally to keeping God’s other commandments, Jesus taught, “On these two commandments [to love God and others] hang all the laws and the prophets” (Matthew 22:40).

Experiencing God’s Love in Adversity

Sometimes, we may separate ourselves from God because we associate our hard times with the absence of his love. This is, again, a false conclusion. Not all of what we experience follows from our choices. Jesus taught that God “maketh his sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust” (Matthew 5:45). King Benjamin taught that God “has created you from the beginning, and is preserving you from day to day, by lending you breath, that ye may live and move and do according to your own will, and even supporting you from one moment to another” (Mosiah 2:21). And independent of our choices, the Resurrection is made available to all (see John 5:28–29).

Sometimes what we experience is simply the result of living in a fallen world where the agency of imperfect and evil people causes the righteous to suffer for a season—only to be later exalted on high (see Alma 14:11). Regardless of the circumstances of our lives, we can be assured that God has internalized our well-being and is dwelling within us if we are willing, including in our loneliest and darkest moments. A familiar hymn confirms the connections between hard times and divine love:

When through the deep waters I call thee to go,

The rivers of sorrow shall not o’erflow;

For I will be with thee, thy troubles to bless, . . .

And sanctify to thee thy deepest distress . [17]

We cannot always or even often understand why our lives’ paths lead through deep waters. However, because God’s love is perfect, infinite, enduring, and universal, we can trust that he will be with us and sanctify to us our deepest distress—even when what we are experiencing seems lacking in love. Elder James B. Martino summarized: “Our Heavenly Father, who loves us completely and perfectly, permits us to have experiences that will allow us to develop the traits and attributes we need to become more and more Christlike. Our trials come in many forms, but each will allow us to become more like the Savior as we learn to recognize the good that comes from each experience.” [18]

Experiencing God’s Love by Loving Others

The most important way we can access God’s divine love is to ask for it. The most important way we can experience God’s divine love is to love others. Divine love for others is a gift that we can ask God to bestow upon us. Mormon taught, “Pray unto the Father with all the energy of heart, that ye may be filled with this love, which he hath bestowed upon all who are true followers of his Son, Jesus Christ” (Moroni 7:48). Being filled with the love of God for others shines the same love into our lives. Then, the more we love others, the more of God’s divine love we enjoy in our own lives (see Matthew 16:25). Sometimes when we feel a lack of closeness with God, we can interpret it as an invitation to reach out in love to others. In so doing, we will enjoy God’s love in our lives in richer abundance than ever before. But how, knowing the transcendent quality of divine love, can we ever love others the way he loves us? How can we keep the new commandment to love others as God loves us?

Since divine love is a gift from God, and God is love, we can only receive this gift by receiving the Savior and his Atonement. Because of our humanness, we cannot, on our own, possess divine love. Through the Atonement, we are enabled to develop this divine love. We ask for God’s help with all the energy of our soul. Exercising our moral agency and accepting the Savior’s will by itself neither saves nor exalts us, but it does open the door for the Savior to do so. As we ask for and receive God’s divine love, our natures are changed. We grow in love as if from grace to grace. It is this change in our disposition that enables us to love others. [19] Joseph Smith described the change: “A man filled with the love of God, is not content with blessing his family alone, but ranges through the whole world anxious to bless the whole human race.” [20]

We can measure our capacity to love by comparing our love for others with the qualities of divine love. We may ask ourselves the following questions:

• What is the quality of our love for others? Can we love without asking, “What’s in it for me?” [21] In our hearts, do we desire deeply the well-being of others and feel joy when they succeed and sorrow when they fail or suffer? (see Mark 12:30; and Moroni 10:32).
• What is the depth of our love for others? Are we patient and kind even when it is inconvenient or unpopular to do so? Are we willing to serve and sacrifice when only God notices our efforts? (see Matthew 6:1).
• What is the durability of our love for others? Does our love for others falter in the face of their rudeness, demands on our resources, and character flaws? Do we forgive generously? Are we loyal friends even when circumstances and companions change? (see Matthew 5:44).
• What is the breadth of our love? Despite differences between ourselves and others, including circumstance, perspective, and choices, does our love bridge the gap? Can we include in our circle of friends even those who are different and who sometimes disappoint us (see 3 Nephi 12:44)? Do we love others more than we love winning?

Even though we will all find our love for others less than divine, we can reach out to the Savior to help us try to be better. Seeking his love can heal all wounds, including the ones between us. President Dieter F. Uchtdorf wrote: “Love is the healing balm that repairs rifts in personal and family relationships. It is the bond that unites families, communities, and nations. Love is the power that initiates friendship, tolerance, civility, and respect. It is the source that overcomes divisiveness and hate. Love is the fire that warms our lives with unparalleled joy and divine hope. Love should be our walk and our talk.” [22]

Experiencing the Price of Divine Love

Sometimes we may not feel God’s love because we are unable or unwilling to pay the price—the price of internalizing the well-being of those around us. Under these circumstances, we need to resolve to pay the price of divine love. Part of that price is to sometimes suffer in place of, sometimes because of, and sometimes vicariously with those we love. Whether by experiencing the loss of a loved one or by experiencing the painful consequences of the choices made by someone we love, our love for others often includes heartache and sacrifice.

Our natural tendency may be to go it alone: to think that we don’t need God and his commandments or, similarly, that we don’t need relationships with those around us that may bring us heartache and loss. But to be in relationships with both God and others, we must willingly pay the price of love (see Isaiah 35:10). As Sister Aileen H. Clyde explained, were we to refuse to pay the price love requires, “we would have to avoid what gives us life and hope and joy—our capacity to love deeply.” [23] We willingly pay the price of love so we may experience joy. Of the Savior, Elder Bruce C. and Marie K. Hafen wrote that the Savior’s “infinite capacity for joy is the inverse, mirror image of the depth of his capacity to bear our burdens.” [24]

Love is what truly identifies us as disciples of Christ: “By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another” (John 13:35). The late Elder Joseph B. Wirthlin summarized the centrality of love in our lives when he taught: “Love is the beginning, the middle, and the end of the pathway of discipleship. It comforts, counsels, cures, and consoles. It leads us through valleys of darkness and through the veil of death. In the end, love leads us to the glory and grandeur of eternal life. . . . We are a people who love the Lord with all our hearts, souls, and minds, and we love our neighbors as ourselves. That is our signature as a people. It is like a beacon to the world, signaling whose disciples we are.” [25]

Still, we may sometimes wonder if God loves us—all the time, everywhere, and no matter what. I have sometimes felt alone and unloved even when my choices, I assumed, qualified me for something better. As Bonnie and I approached the end of our mission, I was diagnosed with cancer. Then I learned that my retirement funds were lost and that one of my family members whom we love deeply had been excommunicated. It all seemed like very deep water. Yet we trusted that God loved us and held on. Now, years later and looking back, we can see how God sustained and restored us and we sing, “I stand all amazed at the love Jesus offers me.” [26]

The author thanks Lana R. Bailey and Rebecca T. Robison and three anonymous reviewers for reading and commenting on this essay. However, what I owe Lana and Rebecca and the three reviewers is more than the usual thank-you. They helped me understand and write about divine love in ways that I had not imagined. So, thank you, Lana and Rebecca and reviewers, for reading and commenting on this essay—and for much, much more. The flaws that remain reflect my own lack of understanding.

[1] Russell M. Nelson, “Divine Love,” Ensign , February 2003, 20.

[2] See C. S. Lewis, The Four Loves (London: Geoffrey Bles, 1960).

[3] A relationship or an affinity between people in which those things that affect one affects the other. See Merriam-Webster , s.v. “sympathy.”

[4] The capacity to recognize and to some extent share feelings (such as sadness or happiness) that are being experienced by another. See Paul S. Bellet and Michael J. Maloney, “The Importance of Empathy as an Interviewing Skill in Medicine,” JAMA: The Journal of the American Medical Association 226, no. 13 (1991): 1831–32.

[5] “A feeling of deep sympathy and sorrow for another who is stricken by misfortune, accompanied by a strong desire to alleviate the suffering.” Dictionary.com, s.v. “compassion.”

[6] Adam Smith, The Theory of Moral Sentiments (Philadelphia: Adam Finley, 1817), 354.

[7] See Robert A. Heinlein, Stranger in a Strange Land (New York: G. P. Putnam’s Sons, 1961), 363.

[8] I thank an anonymous reviewer of this essay for this insight—that the new commandment requires us to pattern our love for others after God’s divine love.

[9] Nelson, “Divine Love,” 20.

[10] Regarding this verse, Elder Jeffrey R. Holland wrote: “I love that. The hills and the mountains may disappear. The seas and oceans may dry up completely. The least likely things in the world may happen, but ‘my kindness shall not depart from thee, neither shall the covenant of my peace be removed.’” Jeffrey R. Holland, Trusting Jesus (Salt Lake City: Deseret Book, 2003), 67.

[11] Bruce R. McConkie, “The Purifying Power of Gethsemane,” Ensign , May 1985, 9.

[12] Tad R. Callister, “The Atonement of Jesus Christ,” Ensign , May 2019, 85–87.

[13] Merrill J. Bateman, “A Pattern for All,” Ensign , November 2005, 74–76.

[14] Charles H. Gabriel, “I Stand All Amazed,” Hymns (Salt Lake City: The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 1985), no. 193.

[15] Nelson, “Divine Love,” 25.

[16] Dallin H. Oaks, “Love and Law,” Ensign , November 2009, 26.

[17] Robert Keen, “How Firm a Foundation,” Hymns , no. 85.

[18] James B. Martino, “All Things Work Together for Good,” Ensign , May 2010, 101.

[19] Matthew O. Richardson, “‘The Pure Love of Christ’: The Divine Precept of Charity in Moroni 7,” in Living the Book of Mormon: Abiding by Its Precepts , ed. Gaye Strathearn and Charles Swift (Provo, UT: Religious Studies Center, Brigham Young University; Salt Lake City: Deseret Book, 2007), 290–301.

[20] “History, 1838–1856, volume C-1 [2 November 1838–31 July 1842],” 1115, The Joseph Smith Papers.

[21] James E. Faust, “What’s in It for Me?,” Ensign , November 2002, 19–22.

[22] Dieter F. Uchtdorf, “The Love of God,” Ensign , November 2009, 21.

[23] Aileen H. Clyde, “‘Charity Suffereth Long,’” Ensign , November 1991, 76.

[24] Bruce C. and Marie K. Hafen, The Belonging Heart (Salt Lake City: Deseret Book, 1994), 315.

[25] Joseph B. Wirthlin, “The Great Commandment,” Ensign , November 2007, 28–30.

[26] Charles H. Gabriel, “I Stand All Amazed,” Hymns , no. 193.

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Most people in the world have no experience of lasting joy in their lives. We’re on a mission to change that. All of our resources exist to guide you toward everlasting joy in Jesus Christ.

If We Love God Most, We Will Love Others Best

Jon Bloom Twitter @Bloom_Jon

The strong legacy of a weak father, god beckons through beauty, when love takes you by the shoulders, the lost son who never left, why we long for revival, hand back the fruit.

Staff writer, desiringGod.org

The most loving thing we can do for others is love God more than we love them. For if we love God most, we will love others best.

I know this sounds like preposterous gobbledygook to an unbeliever. How can you love someone best by loving someone else most? But those who have encountered the living Christ understand what I mean. They know the depth of love and breadth of grace that flows out from them toward others when they themselves are filled with love for God and all he is for them and means to them in Jesus. And they know the comparatively shallow and narrow love they feel toward others when their affection for God is ebbing.

There’s a reason why Jesus said the second greatest commandment is like the first: if we love God with all our heart, we will love our neighbor as ourselves (Matthew 22:37–39). It functions like faith and works; if we truly have the first, the second naturally follows.

But if God is not the love of our life, there is no way that we will truly love our neighbor as ourselves. For we will love ourselves supremely.

He First Loved Us

The reason we will love others best when we love God most is that love in its truest, purest form only comes from God, because God is love (1 John 4:7–8). Love is a fundamental part of his nature. We are only able to love him or anyone else because he first loved us (1 John 4:19). We are only able to give freely to others what we have received freely from him.

And as God’s image-bearers (Genesis 1:26), we are designed to love God and others in the same way that God loves God and others. God, being the most pure, perfect, powerful, and precious entity in existence, must love himself most in order to love everything else best, since everything else is “from him and through him and to him” (Romans 11:36). If God loved something or someone else more than himself he would be violating the first commandment (Exodus 20:3) and the foremost commandment (Matthew 22:37–38). For God to love something or someone more than himself would be inappropriate, perverted, immoral. Like God, we must love him supremely in order to love everything else best.

The Horrible Result of Not Loving God Most

When we (or anything else, if that’s possible) become our supreme love instead of God, love becomes distorted and diseased. Love ends up devolving into whatever we wish for it to mean.

This is a great evil, greater than we often realize. This is the world as we know it: everyone loves in the way that is right in his own eyes. Which of course means that everyone hates in the way that is right in his own eyes. They become supreme “lovers of self” (2 Timothy 3:2) and live “in the passions of [their] flesh, carrying out the desires of the body and the mind,” since they were “children of wrath” (Ephesians 2:3). It is not hard to understand why there is so much confusion and conflict and heartbreak and violence in the world. We live in an anarchy of love resulting in much of the horrifying things we hear in the news.

The Greatest Love Ever Shown

But God, being rich in mercy (Ephesians 2:4), “so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life” (John 3:16). The author and perfecter of love, Love himself, stepped into our horrible evil anarchy to redeem us (Romans 5:8), his people, and give us new life (Ephesians 2:5), and transform us from children of wrath back into children of God (John 1:12) who are able to love him supremely and therefore love each other rightly — the way he has loved us.

And how has he loved us? With the greatest love there is, the love that moves one to lay down his life for his friends (John 15:13). But this doesn’t mean that Jesus loved us, his friends, more than his Father. It means that Jesus loved us best because he loved his Father most (John 17:26; Mark 14:36). And “if God so loved us, we also ought to love one another” (1 John 4:11).

What May Be Our Most Loving Act Today

So we see that if we love God most, we will love others best.

I find this to be a convicting and uncomfortable truth: How we love others, particularly other Christians, reveals how we love God. The apostle John puts it bluntly: “He who does not love his brother whom he has seen cannot love God whom he has not seen (1 John 4:20). Our love for each other is an indicator of the place God is holding in our hearts.

God is very good at designing things this way: our faith is revealed by our works (James 2:18), our creeds are revealed by our deeds (Luke 6:46), and our love for him is revealed by our love for others (1 John 4:20). He makes it very hard for us to fake it. And this is a great kindness (Romans 2:4).

Since the greatest and second greatest commandments are involved in these things, we know they are important to God. So perhaps the best thing we can do today is take an honest, lingering look at the way we love others, allow what we see to have its Philippians 2:12 effect on us, and ask God what he would have us do in response.

We may find that this is the most loving thing we will do for everyone else today.

New Resources in Your Inbox

A digest from Desiring God

Your Pain Has an End Date

Should My Construction Company Help Build a Casino?

Deuteronomy 6:5  says, You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and mind and with all your soul and with all your strength . Jesus later repeats this and even labels it the most important commandment of all.

So, how do you express love for God? By telling God, "I love You"? Singing praises to Him? These are good things, but they only scratch the surface.

We show God we love Him through obedience because actions definitely speak louder than words. It’s tough, and we won’t always feel like we want to obey. But I believe our desire for obedience grows as we continue to experience His love, goodness and faithfulness in our lives.

#2 Loving Yourself

In the New Testament, Jesus said the greatest commandment of all is to love God with all our heart. But He also added the second greatest commandment: You shall love your neighbor as yourself. (See  Mark 12:31 .)

There's something important here that I think people often miss: You cannot give away something you don't have in you. How can someone love another person if they don't love themselves?

We all need to accept ourselves—our personalities and imperfections—knowing that although we are not where we need to be, we are making progress. God wants us to love ourselves and our identity in Him!

#3 Loving Others

God's love is a gift to us; it's in us, but we need to release it to others through words and actions. Left dormant, it will stagnate like a pool of water with no outlet.

1 John 3:14 says,  We know that we have passed out of death into life, because we love the brothers. Whoever does not love abides in death.

Life , in this verse, is the life of God or "life as God has it." And loving others is the only way to keep that God-kind of life flowing through you. I don't want to be one of what I call "the walking dead"─someone who lives and breathes but never truly lives as God desires.

The act of loving others is one of the most exhilarating things I have experienced. I feel excitement stirring in my spirit when I do something to make someone else feel loved and cared for. And You can experience the same exhilaration just by "loving out loud."

Here's a challenge: Think of three people you know who could really use a gesture of God's love. Then think of creative ways you can express His love to these people—and do it! I guarantee you will feel a wonderful sense of fulfillment and joy afterward.

How You Can Continue to Grow in Love

If you will devote yourself to developing your love walk in these three areas, you will experience a huge amount of blessing in your life.

I encourage you to seek God about this and ask the Holy Spirit to help you grow in your love toward Jesus, yourself and others. He will help you overcome anything that might hinder you in the process. Remember, God is Love. And He loves you.

“ You cannot give away something you don't have in you. ”

“ The act of loving others is one of the most exhilarating things I have experienced. ”

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When it comes to rock climbing, I’m still a beginner. But I love watching skilled rock climbers scale rocks. They remind me of the importance of courage and commitment, no matter what challenges we’re facing in life.

A while back, I remember that I was feeling like I had hit a rock wall with God. I was still carving out time to spend with God each day, reading the scripture, praying, asking God to lead, direct, speak into my life. And all I heard was silence.

When I face times like those in my life, the only thing I know to do is not give up. Stay courageous. Stay committed. Keep pursuing God and his love, even when I feel like I’m struggling to find the next handhold of faith.  

• Back to Genesis

Well, the weeks rolled into months. And I remember thinking, maybe it’s time to go back to the beginning. I opened my Bible to Genesis 1 and began reading. And for the first time in a long time, I felt that spark of connection with God. I kept reading morning after morning. When I finally finished those 50 chapters of Genesis, I returned to the beginning and read it again. That tiny spark became a steady flame.  

I didn’t realize that morning that I had found a handhold for my faith journey. It became a year-and-a-half-long personal study of the book of Genesis . Though I had read Genesis many times before, I had never seen God’s love so clearly on display.  

You see, Genesis is the story of our beginnings. But it’s also the story about the various walls that we keep running into in our lives in our relationship with God, each other, and creation — as well as God’s loving initiative to move us beyond those walls, redeem the world, and bring us back into a right relationship with himself through Jesus Christ.  

• Pursuing God’s Love

The greatest story you will ever know is the story of God’s love. Genesis reveals that since the beginning of the world, God created you for love. And we need to be intentional about pursuing God’s love in our lives. Why? Romans 8:39 says that nothing in the sky above or the earth below is able to separate us from the love of God that is revealed in Christ Jesus.  

You and I were designed not just to be filled up with God’s love, but to overflow with it. We pursue God’s love not only so we’ll love God more, but so that we’ll love others more, too.  

Why pursue God’s love? Because it invites us to shift our focus, the way we see ourselves, others, the situations we face, and God. I think one of the most significant examples of this is found in the first few chapters of Genesis.  

• Entering God’s Story

Genesis begins, “In the beginning, God.” And I always pause there, because the first few words of Genesis inform us that we are entering into God’s story. God is the hero. This is not our story. Yes, we are invited to be part of it. But this is primarily the story of God.  

“In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth.” As this chapter unfolds, we get a glimpse of God in creation, hanging the stars in the sky and hovering over the sea. As a holy and divine artist, God paints our world beautiful with the most loving attention to detail. God’s love is displayed throughout creation.  

Some people try to read Genesis 1 as if it’s a scientific or a historical document. And while it contains scientific and historic truths, we must never forget that the first chapter of Genesis is primarily a theological document. The author designed it to tell the story of who God is. And we discover that all of creation is dependent on a loving God for both its existence and its subsistence. We learn that God is all-powerful and sovereign, and his work is marked by precision and intimate involvement.  

• Founded in Love

The second chapter of Genesis offers a second account of creation that’s slightly different. Genesis 2:4 . It says that God makes the earth and the heaven. You may be tempted to think, well, maybe the writer just flipped the words. But I think that the writer was intentional. Genesis 1, the heavens and the earth, is a story of creation from God’s perspective. Genesis 2 , the earth and the heavens, is a story of creation from man’s perspective. It’s here where we get to see more of God’s love on display.  

God forms a man from the dust of the ground and breathes life into him. God places the man in the Garden of Eden with the responsibility to cultivate and keep it. In love, God only gives one limitation. Don’t eat from the tree of knowledge of good and evil, because the result is death. Even God’s one limitation is founded in his love.  

I can imagine Adam being like, got it. But in love, God notices Adam is alone, and God doesn’t like that. For the first time, God declares something not good and creates a woman, a strong companion for Adam. And all is well until chapter 3 .  

• The Serpent’s Argument

A savvy serpent approaches Eve. “Do I understand that God chose you not to eat from any tree in the garden?” It’s kind of a trick question. The serpent is familiar with God’s instruction regarding the forbidden fruit. It’s not just any tree they can’t eat from. It’s one tree.  

Yet the serpent manages to distort God’s words. The serpent introduces confusion regarding what God has said as well as God’s intent. Once the woman engages in the discussion, the serpent focuses on the one forbidden tree and makes the case that God’s prohibition isn’t based in love, but that God somehow is trying to keep something good from the couple.  

The serpent’s argument is timeless. You see, whenever we focus on God’s prohibitions rather than his provisions, we can’t help but doubt the goodness and the generosity of God. We can’t help but question God’s love. A crafty serpent convinces the woman of the ultimate lie, namely, that God is not good, that God does not really love them.  

• The Beginning of Sin — and Redemption

The woman and Adam eat the fruit. Sin enters our world. Stripped of their innocence, the couple now feel shame. They reach for bright green fig leaves, which are known to grow up to a foot in length, in order to create a covering. Hiding among the shrubs, the man and woman are not only alienated from each other, but also from God.  

And yet again, in love, God continues pursuing Adam and the woman. Even God’s judgments are marked by love. The couple is removed from the garden so they don’t eat of the tree of life and live forever. God curses the serpent and the ground, but notice that God never curses Adam or the woman. Instead, he places an enmity between the woman and the serpent and multiplies her childbirth pains. God establishes a desire in the woman’s heart for her husband. Meanwhile, Adam must struggle with the ground. Because of sin, death enters our world.  

But if you look closely, after God judges the serpent, the woman, and Adam, a subtle but significant shift takes place in the text. For the first time, the woman is given a personal name. She is called Eve, the mother of all the living. The name Eve is derived from the Hebrew word Chavah , meaning to breathe. This is a sign of hope. God’s redemptive work has begun.  

• The Fall of Humankind … or the Rise of God?

While the story in the garden is often referred to as the fall of humankind, I can’t help but wonder if we need to rename it God’s rising. Remember that this is the story of God. Genesis 1:1 begins, “In the beginning, God.” But by chapter three, we somehow begin thinking that it’s all about us. It’s about our fall.

No. The hero of the story is still God, and it’s God who gives the promise that many generations later, one of Eve’s offspring will defeat evil forever.

His name is Jesus.  

The opening of Genesis is a powerful reminder that even when we question God’s love or act in disobedience, God continues pursuing us. It’s easy to look at the first couple and say, well, Adam and Eve, they fell for the serpent’s lie that God isn’t good, that God really doesn’t love them. But how often do we fall for the same falsehood today? 

So the question becomes, deep down inside, do you really believe God loves you? Or are you tempted to believe something, or rather someone, else? Are you more focused on the fall, the failings in your life, or God’s rising and the redemptive healing and restoration he has in store? How are you actively and intentionally pursuing God’s love in your life?

Want more from Margaret Feinberg? Check out her Bible study on the book of Genesis and the Gospel of John, Pursuing God . You can watch the full first session of the Genesis portion of her study free. 

Margaret Feinberg

Host of the popular podcast, The Joycast , Margaret Feinberg is a Bible teacher and speaker at churches and leading conferences. Her books and Bible studies, including Taste and See: Discovering God Among Butchers, Bakers and Fresh Food Makers , and Revelation: Extravagant Hope have sold over one million copies and received critical acclaim. She lives out West with the love of her life, Leif, and their superpup , Zoom.  

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Jesus Bible Devotional 5: Act IV — Savior

Look at the book: 1 kings [infographic] , guide to the kings and prophets of israel and judah [chart] , jesus bible devotional 4: act iii — people, holding hope in grief: a lesson from romans  , more like this related.

The Spirit and Circle of Divisiveness Today: A Lesson from Corinth

What We Learn from the Names of God  

The ‘Bonus Commandment’ and Two-Part Salvation: Interview

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Exile refers to being forced to live in a place that is not one’s home. Within Scripture, exile is the result of human rebellion against God and the state of being excluded from God’s glory. Exile can be both a physical and/or spiritual reality. There are times when God’s people are physically in the land that God has given them, but spiritually in exile because of their persistent rebellion against him. Conversely, even when God’s people are physically away from the place God has given them, they can be spiritually in a right relationship with him.

As a result of Adam and Eve’s rebellion, God’s people were exiled from God’s place and his presence . Throughout redemptive history, God works to restore his people from their exile back into his glorious presence. Although God’s presence dwells with his people in a limited sense (i.e., through the tabernacle and the temple), this is a far cry from the intimacy God intends to experience with his people. Through a series of promises and covenants, God sends his Son to obey where his people failed and take upon himself the curse of exile away from God’s presence and rise from the dead to restore his people from their sin-induced exile away from his presence. All who trust in Christ are spiritually restored from their exile away from God’s glory as they await their physical restoration through a resurrected body in a new heavens and new earth.

The starting point for rightly understanding the theme of exile is Genesis 1–3. God created human beings as his image-bearers to dwell with him in the Garden of Eden (Gen 1–2). Adam and Eve were the first people of God, given a place to dwell where they would experience his presence as they walked in obedience to him. Adam was given royal, priestly, and prophetic responsibilities by God. But at the instigation of the serpent, Adam and Eve rebelled against God by eating from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil (Gen 3:1–7). Their sin disrupted the perfect fellowship they had with God and plunged creation under the curse. The culminating judgment for their sin is exile—God drives Adam and Eve out of the Garden away from his presence (Gen 3:22–24). Humanity’s physical exile away from the garden was a picture of their spiritual exile away from God himself.

Yet even in the midst of announcing his judgment of exile upon humanity, God promised that restoration from exile would one day come. A descendant of Adam and Eve would crush the serpent’s head (Gen 3:15) and fulfill Adam’s commission. God reveals his plan for bringing the serpent-crusher and restoring humanity from exile in his promise to Abram (Gen 12:1–3). God promises to Abram and his descendants ( people ) a land ( place ) where he will dwell with them ( presence ) and ultimately bless all the nations of the earth. From the promised line of Abraham’s descendants, God creates the nation of Israel. After he brings them out of slavery in Egypt, God establishes a covenant with them to make them his “own possession out of all the peoples” of the earth (Exod 19:5). As part of this covenant God instructs Israel to build a tabernacle so he can dwell with them even as they migrate towards the Promised Land (Exod 25–31). God’s people have God’s presence (though, unlike the garden, God dwells at a distance within the midst of his people), but they do not yet have the place where he intends to dwell with them.

As part of God’s covenant with Israel, he warns them that if they break his covenant he will send them into exile away from the Promised Land (Lev 26:33–39; Deut 28:36–68). Just as with Adam and Eve, their physical exile away from the place that God gave them will be a picture of their already existing spiritual exile away from the presence of God. Although Israel does eventually take possession of the land ( place ) and God’s presence dwells with them there (initially through the tabernacle and then through the temple), God continues to warn his people that he will send them into exile if they continue to rebel against him (e.g., Hos 8–10; Isa 39:1–6; Jer 18:1–17). Given the Israel’s persistent unfaithfulness to God’s covenant with them, exile from the land looms like a dark cloud on the horizon.

That dark cloud would eventually burst on both the northern and southern kingdoms. Despite the repeated warnings of Yahweh’s prophets, the people refuse to repent of their wickedness and idolatry. In 722 BC the Assyrians conquer the northern kingdom and take most of the people away into exile (2 Kgs 17). The southern kingdom, under a dynasty of Davidic kings, lasts until the Babylonians conquer and destroy Jerusalem in three stages (605, 597, 586), with each stage including the taking of people into exile (2 Kgs 24–25; Dan 1:1–4). Because God’s people broke the covenant and separated themselves from his presence through their sin, God removed them from the place where he intended to dwell with him.

Life in exile was difficult for God’s people. During the early stages of exile false prophets promised that their time in exile would be short; in response Jeremiah writes a letter to them explaining that their exile will last seventy years and that they should establish new lives there in Babylon (Jer 29:1–23). Beyond the physical hardships of establishing new lives in a foreign land, the people wondered whether God had abandoned them altogether (Lam 5:21–22).

Despite these hardships, a remnant of exiles remained faithful to Yahweh as they listened to and trusted in the word of the Lord spoken through prophets such as Jeremiah, Daniel, and Ezekiel. Through them God promised a new covenant (Jer 31:31–34; Eze 36:24–28) that would include restoration to the land (Isa 51:3; Hos 2:18–23), a renewed temple surpassing that of Solomon’s (Eze 40–48), a renewed and obedient people (Zeph 3:11–13), and a Davidic king (Amos 9:11–12) ruling over God’s eternal kingdom (Isa 11:1–10). God promises that his people will one day be in the place where his presence will dwell with them.

When, in fulfillment of God’s promise (Jer 25:11–14) a remnant returns to the land after seventy years in captivity (Ezra 1:1–4), they are met with further hardship and disappointment. Although they are back in the land, they are under foreign rule (Neh 9:36–37), the rebuilt temple is a shadow of its former glory (Ezra 3:1–12), there is no Davidic ruler (Neh 9:36–37), and the people struggle to obey God’s law (Mal 3:5). The reality of their experience makes it clear that although they are physically back in the land, the promises of restoration from exile remain unfulfilled.

During the nearly four hundred years between the close of the Old Testament and the beginning of the New Testament period, the longing for God to fulfill his promises of restoration intensified. With the exception of about a one-hundred-year period, God’s people remained under foreign rule by a succession of different kingdoms, culminating in the Roman Empire. So, when John the Baptist appeared as the one sent to prepare the way of the Lord in fulfillment of Isa 40:3–5, many would have understood him as announcing that restoration from exile was at hand (Lk 3:4–6). As the promised serpent-crusher, Jesus relives Israel’s experiences, but obeys where they failed (Isa 49:1–8; Matt 1–4). By healing (Isa 35:5–7; Matt 11:4–6), casting out demons (Isa 49:22–23; Matt 12:25–28), and teaching God’s word (Deut 18:15–18; Matt 5–7), Jesus inaugurates the promised restoration from exile. Through his sacrificial death Jesus experiences the exile away from God’s presence that his people deserve for their rebellion (Isa 52:13–53:12; Lk 22:37). Through his resurrection Jesus is restored to God’s presence (Eze 37:1–28; Matt 28:1–20). As the last Adam, Jesus embodies the new creation in whom God’s people are given a place to dwell and experience God’s presence . All who are identified with Jesus by faith share in this restoration from exile (2 Cor 5:14–21).

This restoration from exile is inaugurated but not consummated. Even though believers have been spiritually restored from their exile away from God’s presence, we still live physically as exiles in this fallen world. Thus Peter writes:

Beloved, I urge you as sojourners and exiles to abstain from the passions of the flesh, which wage war against your soul.   Keep your conduct among the Gentiles honorable, so that when they speak against you as evildoers, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day of visitation. (1 Pet 2:11–12)

As we wait for the new heavens and the new earth where we will physically dwell in the presence of the Lord, we are called to live lives of holiness in anticipation of Christ’s return (2 Pet 3:11–13). Like Abraham before us, we are “strangers and exiles on the earth” and who must set our hearts on “a better country, that is, a heavenly one” where we will dwell with God forever (Heb 11:13–16). We announce to others the good news that forgiveness of sins and restoration from exile away from God’s presence is available through the work of Jesus (Isa 40:6–8; 1 Pet 1:23–25). As the eschatological people of God, we experience the presence of God dwelling inside of us by his Spirit and “groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for adoption as sons, the redemption of our bodies” (Rom 8:23) in the place God is preparing for us.  

The Bible ends with God’s people being restored both physically and spiritually from our exile in a new creation with a new Eden (Rev 21–22). The promised New Jerusalem will descend from heaven (Rev 21:1–21; cp. Isa 54:11–12). All of creation will be the sanctuary of God where he dwells with his people in unbroken fellowship (Rev 21:22–27; cp. Isa 60:19 20). God’s restored and renewed people will dwell in a new Eden where they will rule over creation as vice-regents under Christ the King (Rev 22:23). But most gloriously, God’s people “will see his face, and his name will be on their foreheads” (Rev 22:4). God’s people will dwell in God’s place and experience his presence to the fullest.

Understanding the theme of exile has a number of practical implications for our everyday lives as Christians. It helps us to understand better who God is—especially his mercy and patience towards his rebellious people. The theme of exile also gives us vital insight into our identity as divine image-bearers who enter the world as rebels against a holy God. We live in a broken world which, although it may not always acknowledge it, lives with this pervasive sense of exile away from God’s presence. As Christians, the theme of exile reminds us that although we have been spiritually restored to God’s presence, we must live in this fallen world as exiles and strangers who work for the good of those around us while at the same time remembering that this world is not our home. Our true home is the new creation, where our restoration from exile will be fully realized as we dwell in the presence of the Lord forever

Essay on God’s Importance In Life

Students are often asked to write an essay on God’s Importance In Life in their schools and colleges. And if you’re also looking for the same, we have created 100-word, 250-word, and 500-word essays on the topic.

Let’s take a look…

100 Words Essay on God’s Importance In Life

Understanding god’s role.

Many people believe in a higher power known as God. They see God as a guide who helps them choose right from wrong. When life gets tough, thinking of God can give comfort and hope.

Learning Through Stories

Religious books are full of stories about God’s love and power. These tales teach kids about bravery, kindness, and honesty. They often look to these stories for lessons on how to live well.

Prayer and Strength

Praying to God is like talking to a friend. It can make you feel strong and calm. When you’re scared or sad, praying might bring peace and a sense of not being alone.

Belonging to a Community

Believing in God can connect you with others. Many gather in places like churches or temples to worship together. This can create a feeling of family and support among the people.

250 Words Essay on God’s Importance In Life

Learning right from wrong.

God is often seen as a teacher of what is good and what is bad. Different religions have their own rules that God has given them. These rules help people decide how to act and treat others. With God’s teachings, they learn to be kind, honest, and fair.

Finding Strength in Tough Times

Life can be hard sometimes. When people face problems, they may pray to God for help. They believe God listens and gives them strength to get through tough times. This belief can make them feel less alone and more able to handle life’s challenges.

Bringing People Together

Belief in God can bring people together. In churches, temples, mosques, and other places of worship, people gather to pray and celebrate their faith. This creates a sense of community and belonging, which is very important in life.

Hope for the Future

Thinking about God can give people hope for the future. They believe that God has a plan for them and that everything will work out for the best. This hope can keep them going when things are difficult and can inspire them to work towards a better future.

500 Words Essay on God’s Importance In Life

Many people believe in a higher power known as God. They see God as a source of strength, guidance, and love. In this essay, we will explore why God plays a significant role in the lives of believers.

Comfort in Tough Times

Guidance for right choices.

Every day, we make choices. Some are easy, and some are hard. Believers turn to God for help in making the right decisions. They may read holy books, like the Bible or the Quran, to learn what God teaches about living a good life. By following these teachings, they feel they can choose the path that will make them and the people around them happy.

Feeling Loved and Valued

Everyone wants to feel loved. Believers find this love in God. They think of God as a parent who loves them no matter what. This love gives them confidence. It makes them feel important and valued. When they know God loves them, they also learn to love themselves and others.

Learning to Forgive

We all make mistakes, and sometimes we hurt others. God teaches about forgiveness. Believers try to follow this teaching by forgiving those who have wronged them. They also ask God to forgive their own mistakes. This helps them live without anger and bitterness.

Building a Community

Believing in God often brings people together. They gather to worship, celebrate, and help each other. This creates a community where people care for one another. In this community, they share their love for God and find friends who support them in their beliefs.

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A thank you letter to god.

“Always let Him lead you, and He will clear the road for you to follow.” -- Proverbs 3:6

“Thank you God for all your blessings to me and my family, for the strength you give me each day and for all the people around me who make life more meaningful.” -- Unknown

Thank you God for creating this beautiful world that I’m blessed to live in every single day. Thank you for creating me in Your likeness. Whenever I have done something wrong, You always forgive my sins and help me live a life further in Your image. Thank you for always supporting me through everything that I do. Every single day, I know that You are watching over me, walking with me and helping me throughout all of life’s obstacles. Thank you for guiding me towards the life I’m meant to live. Through tough times, thank you for guiding me to a better place and never leaving my side. Thank you for allowing me to walk in Your path.

Thank you for all of the blessings You bestow on me, my family and friends. Thank you for giving me courage, bravery and strength throughout my everyday life. Thank you for blessing me with such amazing friends who are always so supportive of me and are there for me whenever I need them. Thank you for those around me who make my life worth living.

Thank you for challenging me. When the going gets tough, You never allow me to give up. Thank you for never giving up on me and for shining Your light on me so that I may live a life in Your likeness. Thank you for choosing me to be a child of God. Most of all, thank you for loving me every single day. Your love means more than words could ever express, so thank you for everything because I see and get it. I know what You have done and appreciate all Your efforts. I believe, I love and I pay it forward in Your likeness and name! Thank you for being the best example a girl could ever ask to have. I love You!

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25 beatles lyrics: your go-to guide for every situation, the best lines from the fab four.

For as long as I can remember, I have been listening to The Beatles. Every year, my mom would appropriately blast “Birthday” on anyone’s birthday. I knew all of the words to “Back In The U.S.S.R” by the time I was 5 (Even though I had no idea what or where the U.S.S.R was). I grew up with John, Paul, George, and Ringo instead Justin, JC, Joey, Chris and Lance (I had to google N*SYNC to remember their names). The highlight of my short life was Paul McCartney in concert twice. I’m not someone to “fangirl” but those days I fangirled hard. The music of The Beatles has gotten me through everything. Their songs have brought me more joy, peace, and comfort. I can listen to them in any situation and find what I need. Here are the best lyrics from The Beatles for every and any occasion.

And in the end, the love you take is equal to the love you make

The End- Abbey Road, 1969

The sun is up, the sky is blue, it's beautiful and so are you

Dear Prudence- The White Album, 1968

Love is old, love is new, love is all, love is you

Because- Abbey Road, 1969

There's nowhere you can be that isn't where you're meant to be

All You Need Is Love, 1967

Life is very short, and there's no time for fussing and fighting, my friend

We Can Work It Out- Rubber Soul, 1965

He say, "I know you, you know me", One thing I can tell you is you got to be free

Come Together- Abbey Road, 1969

Oh please, say to me, You'll let me be your man. And please say to me, You'll let me hold your hand

I Wanna Hold Your Hand- Meet The Beatles!, 1964

It was twenty years ago today, Sgt. Pepper taught the band to play. They've been going in and out of style, but they're guaranteed to raise a smile

Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band-1967

Living is easy with eyes closed, misunderstanding all you see

Strawberry Fields Forever- Magical Mystery Tour, 1967

Can you hear me? When it rains and shine, it's just a state of mind

Rain- Paperback Writer "B" side, 1966

Little darling, it's been long cold lonely winter. Little darling, it feels like years since it' s been here. Here comes the sun, Here comes the sun, and I say it's alright

Here Comes The Sun- Abbey Road, 1969

We danced through the night and we held each other tight, and before too long I fell in love with her. Now, I'll never dance with another when I saw her standing there

Saw Her Standing There- Please Please Me, 1963

I love you, I love you, I love you, that's all I want to say

Michelle- Rubber Soul, 1965

You say you want a revolution. Well you know, we all want to change the world

Revolution- The Beatles, 1968

All the lonely people, where do they all come from. All the lonely people, where do they all belong

Eleanor Rigby- Revolver, 1966

Oh, I get by with a little help from my friends

With A Little Help From My Friends- Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band, 1967

Hey Jude, don't make it bad. Take a sad song and make it better

Hey Jude, 1968

Yesterday, all my troubles seemed so far away. Now it looks as though they're here to stay. Oh, I believe in yesterday

Yesterday- Help!, 1965

And when the brokenhearted people, living in the world agree, there will be an answer, let it be.

Let It Be- Let It Be, 1970

And anytime you feel the pain, Hey Jude, refrain. Don't carry the world upon your shoulders

I'll give you all i got to give if you say you'll love me too. i may not have a lot to give but what i got i'll give to you. i don't care too much for money. money can't buy me love.

Can't Buy Me Love- A Hard Day's Night, 1964

All you need is love, love is all you need

All You Need Is Love- Magical Mystery Tour, 1967

Whisper words of wisdom, let it be

Blackbird singing in the dead of night, take these broken wings and learn to fly. all your life, you were only waiting for this moment to arise.

Blackbird- The White Album, 1968

Though I know I'll never lose affection, for people and things that went before. I know I'll often stop and think about them. In my life, I love you more

In My Life- Rubber Soul, 1965

While these are my 25 favorites, there are quite literally 1000s that could have been included. The Beatles' body of work is massive and there is something for everyone. If you have been living under a rock and haven't discovered the Fab Four, you have to get musically educated. Stream them on Spotify, find them on iTunes or even buy a CD or record (Yes, those still exist!). I would suggest starting with 1, which is a collection of most of their #1 songs, or the 1968 White Album. Give them chance and you'll never look back.

14 Invisible Activities: Unleash Your Inner Ghost!

Obviously the best superpower..

The best superpower ever? Being invisible of course. Imagine just being able to go from seen to unseen on a dime. Who wouldn't want to have the opportunity to be invisible? Superman and Batman have nothing on being invisible with their superhero abilities. Here are some things that you could do while being invisible, because being invisible can benefit your social life too.

1. "Haunt" your friends.

Follow them into their house and cause a ruckus.

2. Sneak into movie theaters.

Going to the cinema alone is good for your mental health , says science

Considering that the monthly cost of subscribing to a media-streaming service like Netflix is oft...

Free movies...what else to I have to say?

3. Sneak into the pantry and grab a snack without judgment.

Late night snacks all you want? Duh.

4. Reenact "Hollow Man" and play Kevin Bacon.

America's favorite son? And feel what it's like to be in a MTV Movie Award nominated film? Sign me up.

5. Wear a mask and pretend to be a floating head.

Just another way to spook your friends in case you wanted to.

6. Hold objects so they'll "float."

"Oh no! A floating jar of peanut butter."

7. Win every game of hide-and-seek.

Just stand out in the open and you'll win.

8. Eat some food as people will watch it disappear.

Even everyday activities can be funny.

9. Go around pantsing your friends.

Even pranks can be done; not everything can be good.

10. Not have perfect attendance.

You'll say here, but they won't see you...

11. Avoid anyone you don't want to see.

Whether it's an ex or someone you hate, just use your invisibility to slip out of the situation.

12. Avoid responsibilities.

Chores? Invisible. People asking about social life? Invisible. Family being rude? Boom, invisible.

13. Be an expert on ding-dong-ditch.

Never get caught and have the adrenaline rush? I'm down.

14. Brag about being invisible.

Be the envy of the town.

But don't, I repeat, don't go in a locker room. Don't be a pervert with your power. No one likes a Peeping Tom.

Good luck, folks.

19 Lessons I'll Never Forget from Growing Up In a Small Town

There have been many lessons learned..

Small towns certainly have their pros and cons. Many people who grow up in small towns find themselves counting the days until they get to escape their roots and plant new ones in bigger, "better" places. And that's fine. I'd be lying if I said I hadn't thought those same thoughts before too. We all have, but they say it's important to remember where you came from. When I think about where I come from, I can't help having an overwhelming feeling of gratitude for my roots. Being from a small town has taught me so many important lessons that I will carry with me for the rest of my life.

1. The importance of traditions.

Sometimes traditions seem like a silly thing, but the fact of it is that it's part of who you are. You grew up this way and, more than likely, so did your parents. It is something that is part of your family history and that is more important than anything.

2. How to be thankful for family and friends.

No matter how many times they get on your nerves or make you mad, they are the ones who will always be there and you should never take that for granted.

3. How to give back.

When tragedy strikes in a small town, everyone feels obligated to help out because, whether directly or indirectly, it affects you too. It is easy in a bigger city to be able to disconnect from certain problems. But in a small town those problems affect everyone.

4. What the word "community" really means.

Along the same lines as #3, everyone is always ready and willing to lend a helping hand when you need one in a small town and to me that is the true meaning of community. It's working together to build a better atmosphere, being there to raise each other up, build each other up, and pick each other up when someone is in need. A small town community is full of endless support whether it be after a tragedy or at a hometown sports game. Everyone shows up to show their support.

5. That it isn't about the destination, but the journey.

People say this to others all the time, but it takes on a whole new meaning in a small town. It is true that life is about the journey, but when you're from a small town, you know it's about the journey because the journey probably takes longer than you spend at the destination. Everything is so far away that it is totally normal to spend a couple hours in the car on your way to some form of entertainment. And most of the time, you're gonna have as many, if not more, memories and laughs on the journey than at the destination.

6. The consequences of making bad choices.

Word travels fast in a small town, so don't think you're gonna get away with anything. In fact, your parents probably know what you did before you even have a chance to get home and tell them. And forget about being scared of what your teacher, principle, or other authority figure is going to do, you're more afraid of what your parents are gonna do when you get home.

7. To trust people, until you have a reason not to.

Everyone deserves a chance. Most people don't have ill-intentions and you can't live your life guarding against every one else just because a few people in your life have betrayed your trust.

8. To be welcoming and accepting of everyone.

While small towns are not always extremely diverse, they do contain people with a lot of different stories, struggle, and backgrounds. In a small town, it is pretty hard to exclude anyone because of who they are or what they come from because there aren't many people to choose from. A small town teaches you that just because someone isn't the same as you, doesn't mean you can't be great friends.

9. How to be my own, individual person.

In a small town, you learn that it's okay to be who you are and do your own thing. You learn that confidence isn't how beautiful you are or how much money you have, it's who you are on the inside.

10. How to work for what I want.

Nothing comes easy in life. They always say "gardens don't grow overnight" and if you're from a small town you know this both figuratively and literally. You certainly know gardens don't grow overnight because you've worked in a garden or two. But you also know that to get to the place you want to be in life it takes work and effort. It doesn't just happen because you want it to.

11. How to be great at giving directions.

If you're from a small town, you know that you will probably only meet a handful of people in your life who ACTUALLY know where your town is. And forget about the people who accidentally enter into your town because of google maps. You've gotten really good at giving them directions right back to the interstate.

12. How to be humble .

My small town has definitely taught me how to be humble. It isn't always about you, and anyone who grows up in a small town knows that. Everyone gets their moment in the spotlight, and since there's so few of us, we're probably best friends with everyone so we are as excited when they get their moment of fame as we are when we get ours.

13. To be well-rounded.

Going to a small town high school definitely made me well-rounded. There isn't enough kids in the school to fill up all the clubs and sports teams individually so be ready to be a part of them all.

14. How to be great at conflict resolution.

In a small town, good luck holding a grudge. In a bigger city you can just avoid a person you don't like or who you've had problems with. But not in a small town. You better resolve the issue fast because you're bound to see them at least 5 times a week.

15. The beauty of getting outside and exploring.

One of my favorite things about growing up in a rural area was being able to go outside and go exploring and not have to worry about being in danger. There is nothing more exciting then finding a new place somewhere in town or in the woods and just spending time there enjoying the natural beauty around you.

16. To be prepared for anything.

You never know what may happen. If you get a flat tire, you better know how to change it yourself because you never know if you will be able to get ahold of someone else to come fix it. Mechanics might be too busy , or more than likely you won't even have enough cell service to call one.

17. That you don't always have to do it alone.

It's okay to ask for help. One thing I realized when I moved away from my town for college, was how much my town has taught me that I could ask for help is I needed it. I got into a couple situations outside of my town where I couldn't find anyone to help me and found myself thinking, if I was in my town there would be tons of people ready to help me. And even though I couldn't find anyone to help, you better believe I wasn't afraid to ask.

18. How to be creative.

When you're at least an hour away from normal forms of entertainment such as movie theaters and malls, you learn to get real creative in entertaining yourself. Whether it be a night looking at the stars in the bed of a pickup truck or having a movie marathon in a blanket fort at home, you know how to make your own good time.

19. To brush off gossip.

It's all about knowing the person you are and not letting others influence your opinion of yourself. In small towns, there is plenty of gossip. But as long as you know who you really are, it will always blow over.

Grateful Beyond Words: A Letter to My Inspiration

I have never been so thankful to know you..

I can't say "thank you" enough to express how grateful I am for you coming into my life. You have made such a huge impact on my life. I would not be the person I am today without you and I know that you will keep inspiring me to become an even better version of myself.

You have taught me that you don't always have to strong. You are allowed to break down as long as you pick yourself back up and keep moving forward. When life had you at your worst moments, you allowed your friends to be there for you and to help you. You let them in and they helped pick you up. Even in your darkest hour you showed so much strength. I know that you don't believe in yourself as much as you should but you are unbelievably strong and capable of anything you set your mind to.

Your passion to make a difference in the world is unbelievable. You put your heart and soul into your endeavors and surpass any personal goal you could have set. Watching you do what you love and watching you make a difference in the lives of others is an incredible experience. The way your face lights up when you finally realize what you have accomplished is breathtaking and I hope that one day I can have just as much passion you have.

SEE MORE: A Letter To My Best Friend On Her Birthday

The love you have for your family is outstanding. Watching you interact with loved ones just makes me smile . You are so comfortable and you are yourself. I see the way you smile when you are around family and I wish I could see you smile like this everyday. You love with all your heart and this quality is something I wished I possessed.

You inspire me to be the best version of myself. I look up to you. I feel that more people should strive to have the strength and passion that you exemplify in everyday life.You may be stubborn at points but when you really need help you let others in, which shows strength in itself. I have never been more proud to know someone and to call someone my role model. You have taught me so many things and I want to thank you. Thank you for inspiring me in life. Thank you for making me want to be a better person.

Waitlisted for a College Class? Here's What to Do!

Dealing with the inevitable realities of college life..

Course registration at college can be a big hassle and is almost never talked about. Classes you want to take fill up before you get a chance to register. You might change your mind about a class you want to take and must struggle to find another class to fit in the same time period. You also have to make sure no classes clash by time. Like I said, it's a big hassle.

This semester, I was waitlisted for two classes. Most people in this situation, especially first years, freak out because they don't know what to do. Here is what you should do when this happens.

Don't freak out

This is a rule you should continue to follow no matter what you do in life, but is especially helpful in this situation.

Email the professor

Around this time, professors are getting flooded with requests from students wanting to get into full classes. This doesn't mean you shouldn't burden them with your email; it means they are expecting interested students to email them. Send a short, concise message telling them that you are interested in the class and ask if there would be any chance for you to get in.

Attend the first class

Often, the advice professors will give you when they reply to your email is to attend the first class. The first class isn't the most important class in terms of what will be taught. However, attending the first class means you are serious about taking the course and aren't going to give up on it.

Keep attending class

Every student is in the same position as you are. They registered for more classes than they want to take and are "shopping." For the first couple of weeks, you can drop or add classes as you please, which means that classes that were once full will have spaces. If you keep attending class and keep up with assignments, odds are that you will have priority. Professors give preference to people who need the class for a major and then from higher to lower class year (senior to freshman).

Have a backup plan

For two weeks, or until I find out whether I get into my waitlisted class, I will be attending more than the usual number of classes. This is so that if I don't get into my waitlisted class, I won't have a credit shortage and I won't have to fall back in my backup class. Chances are that enough people will drop the class, especially if it is very difficult like computer science, and you will have a chance. In popular classes like art and psychology, odds are you probably won't get in, so prepare for that.

Remember that everything works out at the end

Life is full of surprises. So what if you didn't get into the class you wanted? Your life obviously has something else in store for you. It's your job to make sure you make the best out of what you have.

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