The Evidence of Love

The last couple of days I've been reading in the book of John a lot. The disciple John is the one who always made it clear that he was the one Jesus loved, he was the favorite. At the Last Supper, it was John that lounged beside Jesus with his head resting on His shoulder. At the cross, it was John, who stood at His feet with His mother Mary and watched Him die. John knew who He was alright, and I don't think he wasted any time doubting it.
In John's book he has a poetic way of recording the life of Jesus, and I have enjoyed mulling it over in my mind, and resting on certain passages for long periods of time. This morning I stopped on this passage in chapter 17, versus 22-23:

I'm praying not only for them

But also for those who will believe in me

Because of them and their witness about me.

The goal is for all of them to become one heart

and mind-

Just as you, Father, are in me and I in you,

So they might be one heart and mind with us.

Then the world might believe that you, in fact, 

sent me.

The same glory you gave me, I gave them, 

So they'll be as unified and together as we are-

I in them and you in me.

Then they'll be mature in this oneness,

And give the godless world evidence

That you've sent me and loved them

In the same way you've loved me.

Jesus prayed this, and it really struck me how He prayed that we would have evidence that God loves us as much as He loves Jesus Himself!  The goal for those that believe in Him is to become one heart and one mind, with Him. I am to know Him so well that my heart beats as one with Him, my very thoughts are in unison with Him, then His glory will shine within and throughout me. With this unity throughout the Body of Christ, there will be maturity, which in turn is the evidence they need that God loves them, because we love them.
I am still praying for His love to be my love and for that love to love others. I know it is the only way for me to genuinely love people. I am still praying for His mind, heart, and soul to be mine. He is still changing me everyday, and it is good. My mind, heart and soul hear Him speak, and He gently says, "I love you, I will not ever leave you, forsake you, or reject you."  Jesus, Say That Again!