Not an Abstract God

Often times I wonder how to love a God I cannot see or touch or even hear audibly. Being the greatest commandment, loving God with all of my heart often seems like the greatest challenge as well. Recently I’ve been turning to 1 Peter 1:8, which reads: “Though you have not seen him, you love him. Though you do not now see him, you believe in him and rejoice with joy that is inexpressible and filled with glory.” I’m glad the Bible addresses this point so frankly because it brings to light doubts that often creep into my mind. How can I truly love this God whom I follow, when my very own senses claim against its possibility?

For most of my life I’ve been guilty of thinking of God as an abstract thought. An intellectual subject. Not as a person to love with my heart and soul. I may not be the most emotional person on the block, but I know what it means to put heart into something. And putting heart into an abstract thing isn’t exactly easy.

But God is not an abstract. He is the one true God, who has loved me first, undoubtedly deserving of my every affection and devotion. Yet I often feel so distant from Him. Where is the missing connection: the link between what I know and experience, and God’s abounding love and promises? I long to see face to face what I now only vaguely see through a mirror. I guess this is where faith comes in. The faith, which is rooted and upheld by God’s love, looking toward the living hope He has given us. 

“Faith, hope, and Love. These three; but the greatest of these is love.” (1 Corinthians 13:13)

~Andrew Lukachick

20 years old, Andrew was born and raised in Louisiana, a fifth-born with 4 brothers and 5 sisters. This is his first year teaching in Taiwan. He enjoys everything playing piano, writing music, surfing, soccer, and reading. Andrew has graduated with degrees in Music and Business.