No really, God LOVES me! And He LOVES you! How can that change your life? How can that statement NOT become so ordinary and common that it no longer moves you? Recently I have been thinking about this fact and how it affects different individuals. It’s been amazing how teachings keep grabbing my attention on this subject this week. Coincidence? I think not!
We all enter into dry seasons in our walk with God. It’s a relationship and we are human. In any relationship we have highs and lows. I’ve heard my entire life that when you don’t feel close to God it is because you are the one that moved. But think about it. How can you move away from someone that is inside of you? If you have closed your ears to His voice could it be because you feel shame over something? Don’t forget that the scriptures tell us, ‘There is therefore NOW no condemnation to those who are In Christ Jesus.” Admit any sin in your life and receive His forgiveness and move forward. As I think about my relationship with God; He often reminds me of amazing truths through my grandchildren. I’ll come back to this thought in a minute.
When I first started realizing my new identity in Christ I was on a “honeymoon” with God. I’ve never felt so loved and excited about our relationship. Tim and I were driving to a Christmas party in 1990 and I told Tim, “I feel like God’s favorite little girl!” He quickly said, “Don’t share that tonight.” Seriously, what would people think if I shared that thought? Now I know intellectually that we are all God’s favorite child but oh the difference it was making in my life to see and feel His unique custom made love just for me. I want you to try an experiment. Start asking God to help you see how He feels about you. Just you. Not the entire world but you. And then wait for it. It may not come immediately. Keep asking. And wait for it.
Now back to my grandkids. I have a unique love for each one of them that I can’t describe. It overflows out of my heart when I am with them. I can’t contain it. And for a girl that struggled feeling love most of her life because of the childhood trauma and deep wounds in my heart, it’s been wonderful! As I pour out my love to them they in turn pour out their love to me. They KNOW they are loved. Elliott is almost 11 and he’s the one that kisses me on the cheek when he leaves. The other day I told him how sweet it is and he’s the only one that kisses me. (But the others give GREAT hugs!) He said “It’s because I love you, Nana.” My heart melted. I don’t see my grandkids taking my love and saying, “Hmmmm, I’m SO special I think she SHOULD buy me anything I want. I’m SO special she should never correct me. I’m So special she will do anything I ask her to do. No! It does the very opposite. It gives them security and an assurance that my love is unconditional and forever! (But oh I do so enjoy blessing them with things!)
My dad wounded me as a child when I did something admirable and got praise for it at church. He said, “Don’t think you are something young lady!” It stuck with me my entire life. It’s hard for me to feel good about myself. After all I don’t want to be arrogant. But I have found the very opposite is happening. Understanding and seeing God’s love for me even when I don’t do everything perfectly and even when there is sin in my life draws me to Him. I love what John Lynch has shared regarding Jesus and our sin. Can you envision Jesus standing beside you with His arm around you saying, “Yes, that’s a LOT of sin. But we are going to deal with it together?” Don’t run from Jesus but to Jesus when you fail.
When I have told my counselors over the years that my dad made that statement to me they have all responded in exactly the same way. “You ARE somebody, Rebekah.” Wow, I am uniquely made in the image of God, dearly loved by Jesus, indwelled by the Holy Spirit, loved and used by God to draw others to Him. And so are you! Bask in that thought this week and see what happens in your soul. Jesus loves YOU. With all your flaws, disappointments, bad choices and failures. It is truly unconditional. And He loves you so much He will work on those things WITH you. Because you were made for so much more!
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