UNCLOGGING OUR LOVE RECEPTOR VALVE

I John 4:18-19 NIV There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love. We love because He [God] first loved us.

“My love receptor valve gets clogged when I fear abandonment, not measuring up, or that my imperfections will make me unlovable. I can know that my friends and family love me, but when I am afraid of losing them because I do not measure up, I do not trust the love that is shown to me. This produced loneliness and isolation.” (Signal Failed – Check Connectivity and Try Again, Part One).

I looked at the pitiful “streams” of water coming from the fountain I bought for my cats three years ago. Why wouldn’t the water flow? I assumed the motor was dying and ordered a new fountain.

When the new fountain arrived, I read the instruction leaflet and saw the clear warning to clean the motor monthly or risk the fountain not working properly. I tried to remember if I had ever cleaned the motor in my old water fountain in the three years I had it.

I didn’t.

After cleaning the motor valve on the old fountain, I noticed a filter. Suddenly it became clear to me what was preventing my water fountain from working. The filter was clogged with a thick, blotchy combination of cat hair, dust and water impurities. After cleaning, rinsing, and drying the motor and filter, I returned it to its original condition and eagerly filled it with water and awaited the results.

The fountain worked beautifully, dispensing streams of fresh, clear, and clean water. As my cats eagerly lapped up the clean water, I resolved to clean the motor valve and filter each month. I looked up to heaven and said, “Message Received Lord.”

We are not throw away people. Even if our love receptor valves are clogged, we need to be cleaned, not replaced. The bristles of God’s cleaning brush are not always pleasant. If we can push through the pain, God is faithful to rinse and refresh us. We will see the promise of Jesus in John 7:38 become a reality in our lives. “Whoever believes in me, as Scripture has said, rivers of living water will flow from within them.”

Who? Me? As our certainty of God’s love for us grows, His perfect love begins to drive out our fear of letting in the love of imperfect people.

One More Step: Today I choose to believe I am completely loved by God. I will risk loving people, including myself, and open my heart to the love of my friends and family.