Mostly What God Does Summary

"Mostly what God does is love you." This simple yet profound truth invites us to explore how divine love shapes every corner of our lives and brings deeper meaning to our connection with faith.

1. Love Is the Foundation of Faith

Love is both an anchor and a guide, revealing the heart of God’s intent for humanity. It’s more than an emotion; it’s an unchanging truth that invites us to live lives filled with purpose and kindness. For many, understanding this divine love can feel abstract, but it’s revealed in everyday acts of connection and care.

God’s love for humanity is unconditional, not dependent on our actions or worthiness. It mirrors the way a parent loves their children, a love that isn’t shaken by mistakes or misunderstandings. This steadfast affection isn’t simply offered – it’s woven into the very fabric of our existence, providing hope and encouragement when life feels overwhelming.

Embracing this divine love challenges us to channel it into our interactions with others. By choosing love as a conscious action, often daily, we build marriages, friendships, and family bonds that reflect God’s example. It’s a call to act not out of obligation but because love compels us toward restoration and relationship.

Examples

• The parallel of God’s love to parents who continue to care for their child no matter what happens.
• Daily renewal of love in marriage, echoed in divine love, which remains despite challenges.
• The ability to let go of shame and self-doubt because of the certainty of God’s love.

2. The Power of Presence

God’s presence is constant, like a radio signal broadcasting through our lives, even if we sometimes fail to tune in. Choosing to draw near to God allows us to discover the stillness and peace that come from connecting with Him.

This eternal presence is not loud or forceful but comes as a whisper, like the "still small voice" described in scripture. To hear it, we need to create intentional moments of quiet, stepping away from the noise of distractions that often drown out God’s guidance. It’s in this stillness that we gain clarity and strengthen our connection to the divine.

The act of showing up and taking time to be present with God is itself an act of faith and devotion. It’s an invitation to deepen our understanding of Him, whether through prayer, reflection, or simply a quiet acknowledgment of His presence in everyday life.

Examples

• The analogy of God’s presence as a perpetual radio signal requiring attention to tune in.
• Moses hearing God’s declaration of “I am,” symbolizing that God’s presence is timeless and unchanging.
• Practicing silence to discern divine inspiration during moments of personal or spiritual confusion.

3. Praise as a Path to Spiritual Health

Praise isn’t for God; it’s for us. Praising God aligns our hearts with gratitude and shifts our focus away from worry. It allows us to experience God’s presence in transformative ways.

When we praise, we open ourselves up to recognizing the abundance already in our lives. Thankfulness helps diminish worry by drawing us closer to God’s love and reminding us of His faithfulness. Worry can muddy our perception of the divine, while praise clears the way to see with a new perspective.

Honest, open communication with God also leads to deeper closeness. Lifting up concerns, no matter how big or small they feel, fosters a relationship that grows with transparency and trust.

Examples

• A shift from stress to gratitude changes attitudes and strengthens faith.
• Viewing worry as a signal to redirect focus toward God.
• Praising God as a practice that builds emotional and spiritual connection.

4. Grace Brings Freedom from Judgment

God’s grace comes with no conditions. It’s forgiveness and love that do not require payment or perfection. Understanding this transforms how you see yourself and others.

Too often, people confuse the critical inner voice with God’s voice. But divine grace is not punitive or condemning. It invites us to confront our imperfections not through guilt but with the knowledge that forgiveness is already given. By embracing grace, we let go of self-punishment and self-doubt, replacing these with acceptance and freedom.

Grace also challenges judgment-heavy views of faith. When mercy is greater than judgment, the faith journey becomes one defined by love and compassion rather than fear of falling short.

Examples

• Recognizing divine grace as unconditional love and forgiveness, not requiring penance.
• Rejecting harsh self-criticism as misaligned with God’s intent.
• Finding courage to face your truth because of God’s constant kindness.

5. Hope Is Choosing Light in Darkness

Hope fuels resilience during life’s hardest moments. It acts as a beacon that reminds us there’s more to our story than despair or sorrow.

Living with hope doesn’t deny life’s hardships but reframes them. It’s about believing that things can improve, that you can endure, and that God walks with you even in doubt. Faith is strengthened when hope is chosen, even when evidence seems absent.

Doubt, ironically, belongs on the path of faith. It stretches us to reason and explore, making hope more meaningful. Instead of resisting doubt, we can embrace it as part of trusting God with the unknown.

Examples

• Jesus as a symbol connecting believers to eternal life and hope.
• Choosing actions rooted in hope rather than resignation to cynicism.
• Using faith to frame life’s struggles as opportunities for growth and connection.

6. Purpose Lies in Loving and Serving Others

Purpose emerges when we align our actions to God’s love. By using the unique talents we’ve been given to make a difference in the lives of others, we reflect God’s transformative power.

Sharing faith isn’t about rules or judgment but offering what has brought us peace and guidance. Our purpose is deeply tied to empathy, showing care to those in pain and meeting them with kindness. When we share God’s love, we also deepen our own.

Purpose also challenges us to address the gaps and struggles we see around us. It’s about letting faith inspire action, using our own trials to shape a greater understanding of compassion and advocacy.

Examples

• Encouraging others by sharing personal stories of faith and resilience.
• Participating in service work or small acts of kindness.
• Realizing that purpose exists at the intersection of joy and the world’s needs.

Takeaways

1. Set aside time daily for silence and reflection to notice God’s presence more clearly in your life.
2. Practice intentional gratitude through prayer or journaling to nurture a habit of praise and combat worry.
3. Identify one unique gift or skill you can use this week to serve others and share God’s love in practical ways.