Made for More: 30 Days of Experiencing More Life, Love, and FreedomSample

Day 20: Lovers Made for Love

Who you are to someone—and who someone is to you—matters. These relationships are often defined by roles, titles, and imagery that carry deep emotional weight. Along our journey, we all wear many relational hats: son, daughter, mother, father, sister, brother, teammate, teacher, classmate, mentor, friend, best friend, confidant, soulmate. And we need others to wear those hats for us, too.

You’ve probably heard someone express the value of a relationship with phrases like,

“He’s my rock.”
“She’s my anchor.”
“I don’t know where I’d be without them.”

The Bible also offers many descriptions of our relationship with the Trinity—and they’re not just poetic metaphors. They describe real and meaningful connection, often reflecting a kind of spiritual progression in intimacy:

• Clay to Potter
• Branch to Vine
• Servant to Master
• Friend to Friend
• Child to Father
• Bride to Bridegroom

These are expressions and even stages of deepening intimacy. They reflect a God who initiates, pursues, and invites us closer—always motivated by love. The Gospel isn’t just a transaction; it’s a love story between persons. And because love, at every turn, is the driving force for us, the greatest need we have, it's our very desire for love that our enemy uses against us. Because we’re made for love, the kingdom of darkness will use people to wound us, convince us through experiences that we are not loveable, and worse, try to convince us that love is conditional and has to be earned, this is how they use our deep longing to be loved, against us. And naivety doesn't help us here, it actually makes matters worse.

In 1 John, we’re reminded that God loved us first. He didn’t love us because He had to, but because He made us and therefore, He longs to. That’s why, in Genesis, the Trinity says, “Let us make mankind in our image…”—an expression of desire to create image-bearers who could receive and in return choose to love back. This is why, despite the chaos in the world, our story remains—at its core—a love story.

Love was first. Love pursued us through the Fall.

Love redeems and restores. And when Jesus comes back… it’s Love will have the last word.

And love is why we get verses like:

“See, I have engraved you on the palms of my hands.” — Isaiah 49:16

“As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Now remain in my love.” — John 15:9

Because being loved is where freedom begins and will end.

So, it’s no wonder that when we experience being loved, we feel most free.
Free to breathe. Free to be ourselves. And free to live with…

Nothing to hide. Nothing to prove. Nothing to fear.

Free to live like Jesus.

As you reflect on all this with God today, consider asking Him:

Jesus, how are you loving me right now, this day, even while I’m reading this devotional.

Holy Spirit, which one of the list of different types of relationships in the scriptures do I most relate to? Am I stuck anywhere in the progression and would you move me forward, deeper into our relationship as friends and even lovers.

Father, is there one phrase or sentence that feels like it’s just for me today? Would You help me hear it clearly and understand why it matters?