In the first half of this semester, I read the book “Love Does” by Bob Goff. Basically, the whole book is his perspective on the different events of his life (his incredible life, that is) and his perspective of how God has played into that. He relates his experiences to God’s love and reminds you constantly of the importance of loving other people.

Fast forward to a couple of weeks ago when I was sitting at my favorite coffee shop in Gainesville and I came across a quote by Bob that said, “Quit waiting for permission to do what you were made for. Go love everybody.”

I read it, I wrote it down, I highlighted it in my notebook and then I just thought about it a whole lot. The message was clear. There was no hidden agenda and there was no room for misinterpretation. The words on the page made so much sense.

It’s simple. Go love everybody.

It’s funny how words like that, written by a man you’ve never met (but would seriously love to because he’s the best) can speak to you in ways that others can’t. I’ve read 1 John 4:16. I know that God is love. I know that I’m called to love others because God first loved me. But reading those same words put in such elementary terms reminded me what they really meant.

I was made to love people. You were made to love people. We weren’t made to be a judge or a ruler of the people around us. We weren’t made just to tell people they were wrong. We weren’t made to point out every little thing we don’t like about everyone else. We were made to love people. 

And you don’t need permission. You don’t have to be invited to love people, you get to just do it. You get the opportunity to love every single person you meet. You aren’t bound to a bitter heart, and you aren’t bound to a pre-determined amount of love to give away. It is limitless; it is infinite. You get to love literally as much as you can in the years you’re given. It never dies, never withers, never goes away. Love is lasting and you have the opportunity to do with it whatever you want.

It’s simple. Go love everybody.

I love those words more than I think I can express to you. They’re easy, yet remarkably challenging.

I think a big problem is that we see love as something that’s earned. We see it as something that’s attained only if we work really hard for it. As a believer, if I play into that lie that the only way to love is through my own merit then that implies that either a) I believe that I am loved by God because I have done something to deem myself deserving or b) I will never believe that I am loved by God because I could never do anything to deem myself deserving.

Along those same lines, there is also the mentality that we feel we shouldn’t give love unless someone else works really hard for it.

The fact of the matter is that no, we could never do anything to deserve the undying love of the Father, but he gives it willingly, regardless. And in doing so, He has created you to love others with the same disregard of merit.

Even though it’s what you’re called to do, that doesn’t mean it’ll be easy.

In life, it’s hard to love people because they make mistakes. It’s hard to love people because they disappoint you. They’re hurtful, let you down, they break your heart.

But through all of that, your end goal is to look a whole lot more like Jesus, not to prove your wisdom by choosing the right people to get your love. So, yeah, people are difficult. But, you know, so am I and Jesus pushes past that with love so I should do the same with those around me.

Maybe it’s cheesy but love is so powerful that it is far greater than any unkindness you experience. Love led Jesus to the cross. Love led him to die a painful death and love led him out of the grave. The idea of love is great but the act of love is greater.

Doing love is so much better than feeling it.

So remember this tomorrow when you go to work and everything goes completely wrong. Remember this when you’re at school and those around you hurt you. Remember this when you go out into the world and meet new people. Remember that strangers are people and people are meant to be loved.

It’s simple. Go love everybody.

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I know it’s been a while since I’ve posted, but the semester is over, summer is finally here and I am ready for a mental break! I had such a great freshman year and I hope everyone else’s year is going just as great!

xoxo, Samantha

Also, here’s a couple pics from the seriously beautiful field of flowers on campus. It was the perfect depiction of how I felt on my last day of finals…