He Loved Us First
August 14, 2026
August 14, 2026 – Daily Devotional
“We love because he first loved us.” -1 John 4:19
Shrek the movie was released in theatres in 2001. It is an animated movie from the creators at DreamWorks Animation. It is a show about an ogre named Shrek who lives a solitary life in the forest. Shrek is content to be alone. He has convinced himself no one loves an ogre, and he does not have to love anyone. The film’s antagonist is Lord Farquaad. He is forcing all the fairy tale creatures into the forest to help make his kingdom look just so. He does not want the undesirables around…at least, who he considers the undesirables. As this cast of characters encroaches on Shrek’s home, the grumpy ogre is forced on an adventure to save a princess and his home.
The comedic journey that Shrek and his newfound friends take is far more than a rescue mission for a princess. While on the journey, Shrek begrudgingly finds that the life of isolation he has been living is not the best existence. He finds that he has the capacity to love and accept others. It is not an easy understanding to acquire, but by the end of the show, Shrek also finds that he, too, is lovable and belongs in community.
What Shrek comes to understand is that we are all unique, but we were created to be together. It is easy to remove ourselves from the greater community, but it is ultimately not what God desires for us. It is tempting to put distance between us and those who disagree with us, think differently, or look differently. However, it is together that we experience a true depth of love and grace.
John Wesley, the founder of Methodism, wrote, “The gospel of Christ knows of no religion, but social; no holiness but social holiness. Faith working by love is the length and breadth and depth and height of Christian perfection.” To be honest, there are times when I can understand Shrek. I can retreat into myself. However, the life that I truly desire is one of joy. True joy comes through love. Love requires others. We have been created to love and be loved.
Shrek is one of the most successful movie franchises in recent history. Shrek was a box office smash hit! It made over $400 million in theatres alone. Shrek won the Academy Award for Best Animated Feature and was nominated for numerous other awards. The success of this film was followed by multiple other movies and a hit Broadway Musical that was nominated for 8 Tony Awards and won Best Costume Design. This creative, funny show is much deeper than the average animated show. It reminds us that we have been created to love and be loved.
And so, we know and rely on the love God has for us. God is love. Whoever lives in love lives in God, and God in them. This is how love is made complete among us so that we will have confidence on the day of judgment: In this world we are like Jesus. There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love. We love because he first loved us. (1 John 4:16-19)
-Rev. Keith King, Pastor of Worship
