When they had finished eating, Jesus said to Simon Peter, “Simon son of John, do you love me more than these?”
“Yes, Lord,” he said, “you know that I love you.”
Jesus said, “Feed my lambs.”
Again Jesus said, “Simon son of John, do you love me?”
He answered, “Yes, Lord, you know that I love you.”
Jesus said, “Take care of my sheep.”
The third time he said to him, “Simon son of John, do you love me?”
Peter was hurt because Jesus asked him the third time, “Do you love me?” He said, “Lord, you know all things; you know that I love you.”
Jesus said, “Feed my sheep.”
John 21:15-17

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There are moments in any relationship when it’s easier to say “I love you” than to prove it. It happens between people, and between us and God. Several years back, I experienced this in a way I had never encountered before. I entered a six-month struggle that still turns my stomach sometimes. It affected my calling and role in ministry. It upheaved my community at church. It tested my marriage at home. And it disoriented my past experiences and dreams for the future. Rocked to the core, I was uncertain that I could say to God with conviction, “I love you, too.”

Through it all, my love toward Christ and others was well-intentioned but fickle a lot of the time. Yet God remained faithful as He has my whole life. He loved me unconditionally and intimately, even when my actions revealed my broken heart and imperfect devotion. Like Jesus did with His close follower and friend Peter, He gracefully and truthfully asked me to answer God’s question: “I sure love you, but are you sure you love me?”

Each day, in our relationships with God and people, you and I are invited to love with conviction. The encounter between Jesus and Peter is a historical interaction and relational example for us. Christ asks Simon Peter to reaffirm his affection toward God—emotionally and tangibly. It’s a comprehensive question to every would-be follower of Jesus: “Do you love me completely, unconditionally, faithfully, relationally, practically? Do you love me with certainty and conviction?” It’s a lot, but it all matters. By the third question Peter felt hurt. But he needed a loving push, especially after vowing his love and loyalty to Christ in one moment and denying Him three times in the next (John 13:36-38). And honestly, I think you and I need to welcome this loving push, too.

While it’s not easy to love God and others all the time, it’s always good. There will be plenty of moments when we don’t feel happy as we follow Jesus. But, like Peter discovered, we can experience rooted and inexplicable joy inside. You and I have an opportunity, emotionally and spiritually, to love with conviction today. If you’re up for that, let’s go love God by loving the people that He loves just like Jesus loves us.

Next Steps
When I’m unsettled in my love toward God or His love toward me, I listen to “The Goodness of God” by Bethel Music. Like Peter’s reset with Jesus, it reminds me that loving with conviction goes both ways between God and me. Take five minutes to listen, reflect, and prepare to love with conviction today.