Why Do We Love God?

On Saturday, the latest class was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in Canton, Ohio. The five players enshrined were Larry Fitzgerald, Luke Kuechly, Roger Craig, Adam Vinatieri, and Drew Brees.

They all have amazing stories, and I always love hearing the speeches the inductees give during the ceremony.

These five players had remarkable careers with impressive accomplishments and stats. I saw Larry Fitzgerald play in person when he was in college at Pittsburgh, and he always seemed to be one of the most likable players throughout his career in Arizona.

As a Panthers fan, I rooted for Luke Kuechly every week and was thrilled to see him get in too.

Admittedly, I'm not a Saints fan, but Drew Brees is one of the best quarterbacks to ever play in the NFL, and I sadly saw him carve up the Panthers' defense one too many times! As probably the most notable of this year's class, I want to unpack his story today.

He played 20 years in the NFL, 15 of them in New Orleans, setting countless team and NFL records and leading the Saints to a Super Bowl XLIV victory.

Having a significant impact on the city and the league, it's no surprise Drew Brees received an outpouring of support and appreciation from fans, teammates, and the media during the Hall of Fame celebration.

So many people love Drew Brees as a QB and as a person. If we were to ask a Saints fan why they love him so much and why they are thankful for him, they would offer a long list of reasons such as these, based on what he did throughout his career:

• Helped turn around the franchise.

• Won the Saints a Super Bowl.

• Gave hope to the city of New Orleans following the devastation of Hurricane Katrina.

• Completed passes at a very high percentage.

• Overcame injuries.

• Represented the city of New Orleans as an outstanding ambassador.

  
  

A Saints fan would also be able to explain how much they love Drew Brees based on who he was throughout his time in New Orleans:

• A strong leader in the locker room.

• A great teammate.

• A devoted family man.

• A man of faith and character.

• A consistent and reliable player.
  

Drew Brees goes down as a legend in New Orleans, and people easily praise Brees for his greatness. It's no wonder that fans are quick to acknowledge their love for him and have plenty of reasons why.

As much as we eagerly give our reasons for why we love certain athletes, hopefully we are even more willing to give a good answer if someone asks us why we love our parents, our kids, or our spouse.

I wonder, though, what about when asked why we love God and why we're thankful for Him? What do we say? Are we eager to praise Him and acknowledge His greatness?

As followers of Jesus, we declare we love God and desire to love Him with all of our heart, soul, mind, and strength. With that said, how often do we consider why we love Him?

Of course, He's worthy and deserving of our love, but I think our love becomes more evident when we remind ourselves of the reasons why we love Him.

Here are a few reasons, based on what He's already done and continues to do:

• He sent His Son Jesus to die on the cross on our behalf and save us from our sin.

  
  

• He made a way through Jesus for us to know Him personally and intimately.

  
  

• He gave us life and breath and sustains us each day.

  
  

• He answers our prayers.

  
  

• He shows us grace and mercy.

  
  

• He supplies all our needs.

  
  

• He gives us peace and joy.

  
  

• He renews and restores us.

We also have countless reasons why we love God based on His perfect character and who He is:

• He is faithful and trustworthy.

  
  

• He is holy and gracious.

  
  

• He is sovereign and omniscient.

  
  

• He is the Alpha and the Omega.

  
  

• He is powerful and magnificent.

Ultimately, "We love because He first loved us" (1 John 4:19; NIV). We respond to His great love for us by loving Him, glorifying Him, and enjoying Him now and forever.

Today, let's remind ourselves of the endless reasons why we love God and then put our love into action through a life of worship, obedience, and thanksgiving.

1 Corinthians 8:3 (AMP) tells us, "But if anyone loves God [with awe-filled reverence, obedience, and gratitude], he is known by Him [as His very own and is greatly loved]."

As Jesus says in John 14:21 (NLT), "Those who accept My commandments and obey them are the ones who love Me. And because they love Me, my Father will love them. And I will love them and reveal Myself to each of them."

I'm Bryce Johnson, and you can UNPACK that!

PRAYER: Heavenly Father, I love You for who You are and all that You've done. I pray my love for You would lead to a life of worship and obedience. Thank you for loving me first and making a way for me to know You personally through Jesus. It's in His name, I pray. Amen.