Love That Draws and Conforms: The Everlasting Initiative of God
Reflection on Abide Above: Love That Draws and Conforms
In Jeremiah 31:3, the Lord reminds us: “Yea, I have loved thee with an everlasting love: therefore with lovingkindness have I drawn thee.” These words unveil a divine truth—God’s initiative in loving and drawing us to Himself is eternal and unchanging. From the very beginning, He has taken the first step. His love is not reactive but proactive, seeking us even before we knew we needed Him.
This divine love manifests in two profound ways: it draws us and then conforms us to His image. He initiates this drawing through His lovingkindness, awakening a hunger in us for a closer walk with Him. This hunger itself is a gift, a sign of His work within us, calling us deeper into His eternal purpose. As 1 Peter 5:10 declares, it is "the God of all grace, who hath called us unto His eternal glory by Christ Jesus."
Yet, God’s movement is not hurried or casual. He works in response to genuine hunger and need, often allowing circumstances to bring us to a point of desperation. This principle, beautifully captured in John 6:44, affirms that no one can come to Jesus unless the Father draws them. It is His love that initiates, His love that sustains, and His love that transforms.
A Metaphor: The Master Potter and the Clay
Imagine a master potter in his workshop. He selects a lump of clay—not because the clay calls out to him, but because he sees its potential. The potter places the clay on the wheel, drawing it with his hands into a shape that reflects his vision. At times, he pauses, allowing the clay to settle. At other moments, he applies pressure, molding it with precision. The clay does not dictate the process; it simply yields to the hands of the master.
So it is with God’s love for us. He draws us with His lovingkindness and shapes us with His purpose. Just as the clay becomes a vessel of beauty under the potter’s skilled touch, so we are conformed to the image of Christ through His everlasting love.
Practical Applications
Cherish the Hunger: If you feel drawn to God, treasure it as a priceless gift. Acknowledge this hunger as His divine work within you.
Cry Out in Need: If you sense a lack of hunger, ask the Lord to awaken your heart. Even the desire for more of Him is a sign of His drawing.
Rest in His Initiative: Remember, it is God who takes the first step. Trust that He will complete the work He has begun in you.
A Closing Prayer
Lord, I praise You for Your everlasting love, which has drawn me to You. I trust in Your gentle hands to shape me into the likeness of Your Son. Thank You for creating in me a hunger for Your presence and for the assurance that You will fulfill Your purpose in my life. May my life be a reflection of Your love, and may others be drawn to You through me. Amen.
Final Thought
Like the master potter shaping his clay, God’s love is patient, purposeful, and perfect. When we yield to His hands, we are transformed into vessels of His glory, conformed to the image of Christ by His drawing and conforming love. Cherish this divine work, for it is eternal, unwavering, and always good.