“This is my commandment: Love each other in the same way I have loved you.”
— John 15:12 NLT
We’re called to love — but not just any love.
Jesus calls us to love the way He loved. Now, it’s one thing for me to love when it’s convenient for my schedule, when it’s reciprocated, or when it fits neatly within my comfort zone. But loving like Jesus? That’s a whole other level. His love was sacrificial, long-suffering, selfless, pure, humble, and unwavering.
And let’s be honest — that kind of love doesn’t always come easy.
We all want to be the kind of people who show up when others need us. We want to be trustworthy, encouraging, hopeful — the ones who bring light to those who are hurting. And sometimes, we are those people! But if we’re honest, not always. There’s room to grow, right?
So what’s stopping us? Why don’t we naturally love, serve, and show kindness to those around us every day?
Here’s the simple (but not always easy) truth:
You can’t give what you don’t have.
“We love because he first loved us.”
— 1 John 4:19 ESV
There’s a direct connection between God’s love for us and our capacity to love others. One always comes before the other.
Have you ever tried driving on an empty gas tank? You don’t get very far. Running on fumes isn’t just bad for your car — it’s no way to live either.
Maybe that’s you right now. You’re running on fumes, relying on your own strength to love and serve your family, friends, coworkers, and community. You’re growing impatient, cynical, and distant. You’re tired — maybe even fantasizing about quitting everything and moving to a remote island where no one can ask you where their missing sock is or if dinner’s ready. (Relatable, right?)
But the Lord has something better for you. He’s inviting you to be rooted and established in His love — to live from a place of overflow, not exhaustion.
Here are some biblical rhythms that can help refill your tank and ground you in Christ’s love every day.
1. Meditate on God’s Word
“Blessed is the one
who does not walk in step with the wicked
or stand in the way that sinners take
or sit in the company of mockers,
but whose delight is in the law of the Lord,
and who meditates on his law day and night.
That person is like a tree planted by streams of water,
which yields its fruit in season
and whose leaf does not wither—
whatever they do prospers.”
— Psalm 1:1–3 NIV
Biblical meditation isn’t about emptying your mind — it’s about filling it with truth. It’s not just reading a verse and checking a box; it’s pausing to chew on it, reflect, and listen for what the Holy Spirit might be saying through it.
When we meditate on Scripture, our roots go deep, and our lives bear fruit that lasts.
2. Listen in the Silence
“But Jesus often withdrew to lonely places and prayed.”
— Luke 5:16 NIV
Even Jesus needed solitude. He often slipped away from the crowds to quiet places to pray and be with the Father.
Silence and solitude are countercultural in our noisy, busy world. But they are sacred spaces where we can rest, hear God’s voice, and be replenished. When we make time for stillness, we rediscover His presence and His peace.
3. Pray to Your Heavenly Father
In Matthew 6, the disciples ask Jesus how to pray. He begins, “Our Father in heaven, hallowed be Your name.”
Before giving them any structure or list, Jesus begins with relationship. Prayer, at its core, is a conversation between a loving Father and His children. It’s not just about making requests — it’s about connection.
When we pray sincerely and openly, we remind ourselves who we are and who He is. We position our hearts to receive His love and goodness.
“Whatever is good and perfect is a gift coming down to us from God our Father, who created all the lights in the heavens. He never changes or casts a shifting shadow.”
— James 1:17 NLT
4. Receive from Others
“Dear friends, since God loved us that much, we surely ought to love each other. No one has ever seen God. But if we love each other, God lives in us, and His love is brought to full expression in us.”
— 1 John 4:11–12 NLT
Let’s be honest — for many of us, it feels easier to open our hearts to God than to people.
God’s love is perfect. People’s love… not so much. And after a few hurts, it’s tempting to keep our distance — to convince ourselves we’re fine on our own. But that’s not how God designed us to live.
Over the years, it’s been the people around me who have shown me God’s love in real, tangible ways — through encouragement, support, prayer, and even correction. Their care has made the compassion of God come alive in my life.
Yes, opening your heart to others is risky. People will let you down sometimes. But they’ll also teach you incredible lessons about grace, forgiveness, and the heart of God.
So invest in reciprocal relationships — ones where you can both give and receive love. You’ll be surprised how much God fills your tank through community.
When we abide in God’s love and live from His fullness, we don’t have to strive to love others — it simply overflows.
So before you try to love from an empty tank, pause. Pull over. Refuel with His presence.
Because when you’re filled with His love, loving others isn’t a burden — it’s a beautiful, natural response to the One who first loved you.