I remember the first time I really grasped how different people can be – I was almost forty. At work we took the Myers-Briggs personality test; one of the questions asked, “Do you prefer when tasks are completed or still in process?” I read the question again, thinking I missed something, then commented, “No one will answer they don’t like things completed.” At least one person responded, “I do.” This floored me and while I understand their perspective, it is foreign, opposite, and nebulas to me.

God’s infinite nature is evident in Creation. Children are told that no two snowflakes are the same, each is unique. Even identical twins are different, but their similarity makes them special. It is estimated there have been over 80 billion people ever born and each one unique. Scientists could only come up with ten dimensions, even though the last four are really groupings of defined realities, rather than regular dimensions. God’s design is not merely random difference, but purposeful distinction from bacteria to insects to humans to the universe.

Imagine a person who has a longing for any essential need in life, then picture the range of how and to what degree it might be fulfilled. For example, many people across the world live predominantly on rice and cabbage, while those in developed nations eat a wide variety of food. It’s not about social justice, but extremes. Consider the range of circumstances that affect various diets, agricultural soil diversity, rainfall, seasonal distinctions, the variety of compatible seeds, insect pests, varmints, frequency of drought or floods, economic conditions, social unrest, corruption or tyrannical government. Now, apply these parameters and others to the range of circumstances that affect the measure and nature of love we receive, the factors are innumerable.

Love is at least as essential as food. The rule of three applies to our needs; we can last 3 minutes without air, 3 days without water; 3 weeks without food, and perhaps 3 seconds without love. You say, “I don’t feel love and I haven’t for years”, but have you actually known love? Have you lost hope or really come to believe no love can find you? Have you truly been separated completely from God’s love? If so, could you still live? I suggest we all experience God’s love every second, whether we know it, acknowledge it, consciously or not. The sky above, sunshine, rain, the air we breath and everything that sustains life is God’s gift of love to each and every person. I asked my aged uncle, who was struggling with health issues, about the future. He responded, “…with gratitude for each day He [God] gives me.” This is knowing love and God’s gift. Because we have a role in our survival and life is filled with a variety of opportunity, we can delude ourselves thinking we are in control, but we cannot add one hour to our life span. God gives the love we need and will give much more, if we believe and surrender to Him in faith. Scripture gives us insight and a written glimpse of God. The Psalmist put it well, “How precious to me are your thoughts, God! How vast is the sum of them! Were I to count them, they would outnumber the grains of sand— when I awake, I am still with you.” (Psalm 139:17-18)