Know God vs. Love God

Now there's an interesting question. Do you know God vs. do you love God? Can you know God and NOT love God?

I never thought about it that way before ...

Learning so much from watching my daughter's relationship with the Lord.

Last night we were talking about things like TV shows ... music ... clothes ... boys (you know, teenage stuff) ... and we talked about how those things influence what we think, what we believe, etc. Typical for me ... when she comes to me with what the world has to offer and how it affects what she thinks ... I pull out the bible and start looking for what God says about it. Quick to point out the choices that she has to make ... but lately I've been reading what God says and sitting back and watching as she wrestles with the choice that needs to think about. (Guiding her vs. trying to control her.)

Last night was all about "what we think" ... so I found the scriptures that say we should think about things that are lovely, things that are pure (Philippians 4, I think). Typical for my daughter ... she listens intently ... and as honest as can be announces that while she understands what God is saying ... she's just "not there" yet.

She doesn't feel bad ... she doesn't feel guilty ... she doesn't try to jump right into it and change whatever it is ... she is just honest ... a "matter of fact" kind of attitude. She hears it ... she understands it ... and she is honest enough with herself and with the Lord ... to say that she isn't ready to accept that particular truth or principle. Enough said ... and she goes back to whatever she is doing.

My daughter and I share some very similar traits ... stubborness, rebellious, selfish and the list goes on. But in one area ... we are very different. Her relationship with the Lord is more "child like" than mine ... more honest than mine ... and I learn a lot by watching her.

Starting to see that there is a big difference in knowing the Lord ... and even following the Lord ... vs loving the Lord.

I know the Lord ... and I follow the Lord ... but I can't honestly say with 100% certainty that I love the Lord.

I can say that I need him ... I can say that he intrigues me and that I am almost compelled to learn more and more about him. I can say that I listen and try to understand how he wants me to live this life and I do my best to accept and live the truths that are revealed to me. I want him to save me, to protect me, to comfort me and to love me.

But I think I know more about his love for me vs my love for him.

Sounds strange ... I've known the Lord for about 4 years. I wonder what the answer will be when I ask (I'm asking, Lord) ... in all of that time ... have I ever learned to love you for you? Any of the time? Loved you for you ... and not what you can give to me?

There's a verse that has been penetrating my heart ... not sure where it is ... maybe Luke. It says "why do you call me Lord, Lord, when you don't do as I say?"

I've done a lot of things "in the name of the Lord" ... but I wonder just how much of that was done out of obligation ... to try and earn all that I have been given ... to make myself feel better by being able to point to this or that to say "look, see how much I love you."

Wonder if any of it ... was done simply because I loved him.
Sometimes no answer at all is all the answer that I need.