President Pimentel’s first message to the missionaries was about the Love of God. He explained that a plain paper cup full of water can be set in a campfire or in the hot coals of a bbq and won’t burn if it’s completely full. Each of us has a cup (the cup of our lives) that is well over half full with the Love of God. God’s love is not conditional no matter what we do or don’t do. He quoted President Hinckley, “God does not love us because we are lovable, have a pleasing personality or a good sense of humor, or at rare times show exceptional kindness.” No matter how unlovable we may feel, He pours His love out into our lives. The life and mission of the Savior are a big part of the Love of God. (John 3:16 and 1 Nephi 11:20-22)
We have the ability to add more water to the cup of our lives – to fill it up and overflowing – with the love we develop and direct toward God. This is done by loving God so much that we keep the commandments and have the love spill over to those around us. (D&C 59:5, John 14:15, Mosiah 4:12, Matt. 22:36-40, 2 Nephi 31:20) Joseph Smith said, “A man filled with the love of God is not content with blessing his family alone, but ranges through the whole world, anxious to bless the whole human race.”
God truly loves us. His love includes the Savior, his atonement and mission. We have every right to be optimistic and see the cup as more than half full. Our cups do not burn when they are full and we fill it the rest of the way by the love we show toward God. We are filled with the Love of God and it spills over as we love and serve our neighbors, our fellow children of God here upon the earth.
