God Is Love... What does that mean?

“God is love. Whoever lives in love lives in God, and God in them (1 John 4:16)”

Love can mean a lot of things. We use the word “love” to describe many experiences like: I love chocolate cake, I love walking, or I love my spouse. “Love” is a word that has been diluted in society and yet, still can signal to us something distinct. For example, when we say “God is love” we move from the surface level and cut straight into the heart of many things. The Divine, the Creator, is Love. 

But what do we actually mean when we say “God is love”? 

I imagine that as our uses of the word “love” are wide ranging, so are our interpretations of “God is love.”

Take a moment to pause. What does “God is love” mean to you? Close your eyes, breath, and imagine. What images come to mind? What feelings come to your body and soul? 

Take some time to pause and notice the feelings and images that come to your being when you hold “God is love.” For some of you, this phrase “God is love” might be familiar. Maybe it’s a phrase that is one you turn to for comfort or maybe it is one that has felt over used and less meaningful. For some of you, “God is love” might feel foreign. You might be feeling the absence of “God is love.” I can only begin to imagine the vast responses we all have to this phrase. 

Whatever you are holding, my invitation is for us to meditate on the goodness of “God is love.” First, ask “what does love mean?” Then, feel the energy of that love for you from the Divine. Take time to really feel the safety, security, care, support, affirmation. Dwell in this Love. 

See that “God is love” and feel in your body that “God is love.” 

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Dottie Oleson, M.Div.