Haha. My love affair with Liverpool. Somehow, there's always something that rises up within me when people try to put down Liverpool.
"Liverpool lost to so-and-so..."
"Didn't get the Barclays Champions League this year?"
I try explaining to them that my love for Liverpool is beyond just winning a game but I realise that I can't. I just adore Liverpool. Haah. Win or lose. I don't love them for their victories, or for every single success. Another loss doesn't take away any bit of that adoration from them. Another win doesn't increase it.
I just rejoice when they rejoice, mourn when they mourn. It's that "I'm with you till the end" kinda relationship. Hah.

It's the same thing with God, isn't it?
"Where was God in this disaster?"
"Why did God allow this to happen?"
You try explaining to them about God, but you can't explain it in words because they just don't understand. They just don't see God the way you do. They just don't love God the way you do. Your love and adoration for Him is beyond disasters and victories. You don't blame Him in the midst of valleys, you don't just start to 'love God a little bit more' when something good happens.
You just rejoice when He rejoices, mourns when He mourns.
That "I'm with You till the end" relationship.

I was walking home from work earlier on at night. Just the normal, usual walk home after bading my colleague goodbye. And God asked that very same question He asked Simon Peter.

"Do you love Me?"

Wow. It struck my heart with the very same impact as it did yesterday, while we were worshipping God towards the end of BMT.

Loving the person for who he or she is, not what he or she can provide. Pastor was just talking about it, sharing his own experience and friendship with Pastor Joakim.
And God stepped in with that resounding question.
Do you love God for the Person He is, or for what He has done, or for what He can do?

John 21:15-19
So when they had eaten breakfast, Jesus said to Simon Peter, “Simon, son of Jonah, do you love Me more than these?” He said to Him, “Yes, Lord; You know that I love You.” He said to him, “Feed My lambs.” He said to him again a second time, “Simon, son of Jonah, do you love Me?” He said to Him, “Yes, Lord; You know that I love You.” He said to him, “Tend My sheep.” He said to him the third time, “Simon, son of Jonah, do you love Me?” Peter was grieved because He said to him the third time, “Do you love Me?” And he said to Him, “Lord, You know all things; You know that I love You.” Jesus said to him, “Feed My sheep. Most assuredly, I say to you, when you were younger, you girded yourself and walked where you wished; but when you are old, you will stretch out your hands, and another will gird you and carry you where you do not wish.” This He spoke, signifying by what death he would glorify God. And when He had spoken this, He said to him, “Follow Me.”

I would love to explain to you, but this gotta be heart knowledge man.

Do you love Him?
Not just as EL SHADDAI.
Not just as JEHOVAH-JIREH.
Not just as JEHOVAH-ROPHE.
Not just as JEHOVAH-NISSI.
Not just as JEHOVAH-M'KADDESH...

Do you love God?
As simple as that.
Are you in love with the Person of God?