Burn with Love

Recently, I've started a sort of blogging notebook, in the hopes I can keep my various ideas more organized. During some reading of the saints a couple weeks ago, I wrote this quote at the top of one page, intending to make a post out of it:

What things in your life are keeping you from burning with love for God?

I think this is a very important issue. So many individuals claim to be religious, or claim to have faith, but far fewer actually show that. Far fewer actually burn with love for God. And I admit, this is an area that I too struggle with. 

For my recent birthday, I received a crucifix necklace. On the back are the words "Love God" in the cross shape. This is all well and good. Everywhere one turns, there is some medium telling him to love God and keep faith. But I think there is a difference between just loving God, and really burning with love for Him.

Burning with love for Him takes extra effort, and extra time. It requires that we be willing to form a deep relationship with God. It requires that we put God above ourselves, and really trust in His plans for us, because we know they are better than any of our own. Truly, burning with love for God is the same as loving another human being, only much much greater. 

When you love another individual, you need to be willing to sacrifice your life for them, and willing to put them first. With God, this is increased to a much greater level. God loves us more than anything else He created, so why do we not love Him the same?  

I'm going to be starting my senior year of high school tomorrow. With the return of classes, I know that I will be very short on time. One thing all of us must remember is that God should be the most important part of our lives. In order to truly burn with love for Him, we need to set aside the time to prayer and talk with Him. He is waiting to listen. 

There will always be things in our lives -- whether they be temptations, lack of time, too many commitments, doubt, sin, etc -- that are going to try and keep us from the Father. That is the Devil's main goal -- keeping us away! We cannot let that happen, and so we must examine what's in our own lives. 

"Therefore, put on every piece of God’s armor so you will be able to resist the enemy in the time of evil. Then after the battle you will still be standing firm."

 (Ephesians 6:13)

This verse really emphasizes the fact that God will bring us to do great things. In the words of St Therese, "Love can do all things." And so we must burn with love for God.