Why Many Christians Believe God Loves Them but Don’t Feel It
Most Christians know that God loves them. We’ve heard John 3:16 since childhood. We understand Jesus died for our sins, and we genuinely believe we’re forgiven and destined for heaven. But somewhere along the journey, many believers settle for knowing God loves them instead of experiencing His love in daily life.
When that happens, faith becomes transactional. We start thinking we must earn God’s love through better behavior. Prayer becomes a duty. Bible reading becomes a checklist. Church attendance becomes an obligation rather than a place of connection. We begin living as though God wants our performance more than our presence.
But God’s desire has always been far more intimate. He doesn’t just want your obedience, your service, or your ministry. He wants you. He wants relationship, closeness, affection, and connection.
This is the motive behind why I wrote the song “Deep, Deep Love.” It’s not a song about trying harder to love God; it’s a song about responding to the love He has already poured out. The chorus is:
“Your love keeps rising around me, Your love keeps pulling me in. I’m undone in Your presence, I’m falling for You all over again.“
This is what the Christian life was always meant to be. It’s not cold religion, but a living experience of God’s love.
God Saved You for Relationship, Not Just Salvation
When I first encountered Jesus, I wasn’t just introduced to a Savior who could rescue me from hell. I met the One who created me, who understood me completely, and who wanted to be with me. As a child, I often felt lonely, wondering if anyone truly wanted or ever would want to know me. But Jesus showed me that He did… fully and deeply.
The greatest gift Jesus offers is not merely eternal life someday. It’s life with Him today. He didn’t save you just to get you into heaven. He saved you because He wants you in His life.
This changes everything. Christianity becomes less about rules and more about relationship. Less about performance and more about presence. Less about earning and more about receiving.
God’s Love Is Like an Ocean That Never Stops Moving Toward You
From when I first came across the hymn, O the Deep, Deep Love of Jesus, I loved thinking about the ocean as an image of God’s love. Its vastness is immeasurable. Its waves never stop coming. Day after day, year after year, the ocean keeps moving toward the shore.
That’s how God’s love works.
My song, Deep Deep Love, is a retake on that hymn. The song opens with this imagery:
“Like an ocean overflowing, Pouring all its fullness over me.”
God’s love is not conditional. It doesn’t rise and fall based on your performance. It doesn’t retreat when you fail. It doesn’t weaken when you drift. His love keeps relentlessly moving toward you.
Why So Many Christians Miss the Experience of God’s Love
The biggest obstacle for us experiencing God’s love is not that He has withdrawn it; it is that we’ve stopped noticing it. Life gets busy. Problems pile up. We fixate on unanswered prayers, strained relationships, financial stress, disappointments, and uncertainty. Slowly, our attention shifts away from God, and we begin to believe we’re the only ones who can fix our lives.
But when we intentionally turn our attention back to Him, we begin to see the little love notes He has left for us.
A good night’s sleep. A friend who reaches out to us. A healthy family. A spouse’s kindness. A child’s laughter. Strength for another day. A prayer answered.
These small blessings are evidence of a Father who has been caring for you all along. Our love for God grows as we give Him attention.
Experiencing God’s Love Begins With Awareness, Not Effort
People often ask how they can experience more of God. Should they pray longer? Read more Scripture? Attend retreats? Listen to worship music?
Those practices are good… but they are not the goal. Because it is possible to do all of them and still miss God.
Experiencing God begins with recognizing that He is already present with you right now. He has already drawn near. He has already given you His Spirit. He is already speaking, guiding, encouraging, correcting, and loving you.
The invitation is simple: Turn your attention toward Him. Speak to Him as if He is truly there… because He is. Listen as if He wants to respond… because He does. Christianity is not merely learning about God. It is walking with Him.
How God Reinterprets Your Life Through His Love
One of the greatest gifts God gives me is not always answers but perspective. When I take time to talk with Him, He reinterprets who I see life. He reminds me of His faithfulness. He shows me possibilities where I saw barriers. He reveals goodness where I felt hopeless. He brings peace where fear once lived.
My circumstances may not change immediately, but my heart does. Hope rises. Fear fades. Love softens everything. His love changes how I see my story.
God’s Love Has Not Changed, Even If You Feel Distant
Maybe you feel far from God right now. Maybe life has overwhelmed you. Maybe distractions have pulled your heart away. But here is the truth: God’s love for you has not changed.
He is not waiting for you to earn your way back. He is not disappointed in your need for a fresh start. His gaze is still kind. His heart is still warm. His invitation is still open.
The bridge declares it this way:
“Every wave reminds my heart, You were faithful from the start. Even when I turn away, Your love remains, it never fades.”
His love is as strong today as it was the day you first believed.
Christianity Is the Greatest Love Story Ever Told
Many Christians unintentionally reduce faith to rules, theology, and spiritual disciplines. God doesn’t want to be just studied; He wants to be experienced. The Bible is a love story. From Genesis to Revelation, God pursues His people. Jesus didn’t endure the cross merely to remove sin. For the joy set before Him was being with you (Hebrews 12:2; 1 Peter 3:18).
He wants to walk with you. He wants to share your joys and sorrows. He wants to comfort you, teach you, and transform you. He wants eternity with you. When you grasp His love, your heart responds… not from striving, but from being overwhelmed by His goodness.
A Simple Invitation to Experience God’s Love Today
If you’ve spent years learning about God but haven’t truly experienced Him, begin today. Ask Him: “Father, would You show me what Your love is like?” Then pay attention.
A sunrise. A conversation. A Scripture that speaks. A moment of peace. A friend’s encouragement. Strength for another day.
His love has never stopped moving toward you… like waves that never stop reaching the shore. You are not striving to love God. You are responding to the endless love He has poured over you since the beginning.
And before long, you’ll find yourself falling in love with Him all over again.
Lyrics for Deep Deep Love
[Verse 1]
Oh, the deep, deep love of Jesus—
Vast and endless, wild and free!
Like an ocean overflowing,
Pouring all its fullness over me.
Underneath me, all around me,
Flows the current of His love,
Pulling me forward, drawing me homeward,
To His perfect rest above.
[Pre-Chorus]
When I lose my way, when I drift from shore,
Your mercy calls me back once more.
No height, no depth could pull me apart—
Your waves keep crashing through my heart.
[Chorus]
Your love keeps rising around me,
Your love keeps pulling me in.
I’m undone in Your Presence,
I’m falling for You all over again.
[Verse 2]
Oh, the deep, deep love of Jesus—
Let His praise rise shore to shore!
How He loves us, always loves us,
Never changing, ever sure.
How He watches all His people,
Died to claim us as His own;
How He prays for us in heaven,
Watching from His glorious throne.
[Pre-Chorus]
When the night is long, and the waves are high,
I’ll rest in the tide that never runs dry.
Your love keeps pulling, strong and wide—
I’m safe forever in Your tide.
[Chorus]
Your love keeps rising around me,
Your love keeps pulling me in.
I’m undone in Your Presence,
I’m falling for You all over again.
Oh, Your love keeps rising around me,
Your love keeps pulling me in.
Every wave sings Your goodness,
I’m falling for You all over again.
[Bridge]
Every wave reminds my heart,
You were faithful from the start.
Even when I turn away,
Your love remains, it never fades.
You are the calm in every storm,
The endless waves moving me on.
You hold me near, You wash all my sin.
Your ocean love pulls me in.
[Chorus]
Your love keeps rising around me,
Your love keeps pulling me in.
I’m undone in Your Presence,
I’m falling for You all over again.
Oh, Your love keeps rising around me,
Your love keeps pulling me in.
Every wave sings Your goodness,
I’m falling for You all over again.
[Outro]
Your love keeps pulling me in…
I’m falling for You all over again.