love, sleep and a picture

I am not one to wake up early or often loose sleep but I find myself awake this early morning and pondering a scripture and that I am suppose to have pictures in my blogs. I have lost sleep before because of caffeine from late evening pour-overs but that isn't this level of awake. I have lain awake pondering life's trouble on occasion but that isn't the case this night either. I am just awake with my thoughts and they turn to love, perfect love. Love that is God, Love that removes fear, fear that is the concern of punishment. 1 John 4:18 is my pondering. I do not presume to in two hours of alertness lay claim to a deep understanding of this love but I have come to believe that this scripture does concern the promise of eternal relationship with God, and also must be active from the moment of belief in God and His salvation. Simply meaning that even in our physical existence His love removes the fear of punishment or payment associated with missing the mark. There are many commentaries and thoughts on this scripture. I have read several in the last hour which I would recommend for they are "good reading". While this scripture and its meaning concern sin and judgement my pondering has taken me more from the receiving side of this idea to the activity of love. God loves perfectly which removes the fear of judgement and punishment but do I continue in that perfect love. 1 John 4 talks of God's love but also specifies that I should love, with perfect love being the benchmark most likely. Now I understand enough not to think I have to love as good as God. However, my encouragement and my challenge to myself is to attempt reciprocating perfect love back to God and then further passing it on to everyone I am in relationship with. I don't want my relationships to be governed by others fearing my judgement or punishment. This is a principle of a matter not the equating of my relationships with God's relationship to humanity. I am sure that God is highlighting an aspect of His Father heart to me and I will continue to ponder this scripture but now it is almost time for morning coffee...

Good day,