Do You Know How Loved You Are…A Little or A Lot?
I was speaking with a good friend a few days ago, when he said something to me like, “Nothing is going well, and I don’t know if it will ever.” He was down on life in general, but I know he has been tested in many ways in the last year or two. So, I get it. This article is not a critique of my friend’s words nor a criticism of his being down. What it is, or at least I want it to be, is a reality check.
What about you? Are you tired of being tired? Are you experiencing the love of God in ways that you know His love, feel His love, experience His care and want others to know Jesus’ love too? That’s the bottom line, right? When we are loved, really loved, we tell about our lover with joy and confidence.
Did you eat today? Did you eat something you really like and wanted? Did you have access to clean water today, have enough water to bathe? Today did you drive or ride in a nice enough vehicle to get you from point A to point B? Have you come to a place where you recognized your need for forgiveness then turned to Jesus for that forgiveness and cleansing from sin? Do you have people in your life who love you, accept you, and listen to you?
Again, I am not preaching to you as much as I am reminding myself of the ways God shows love to us. I sometimes feel the special love of God – but not always. I experience His love when I pray and listen for His reply; when I worship and am reminded of His personal presence; when I think about what He has done and is doing to me, for me, and with me. When I look into my wife’s eyes and get still, or I see my children and grandchildren living life and becoming godly. Even when they struggle with life, I see them trying to get back up and try again. What blessings that brings to me! God has given and is giving us so much to show His love. Can you see it? Can you feel it?
On a billboard in several locations as we have traveled over the last few months, I see a statement: “There is evidence that God exists”. Beside the words is the picture of a cute baby looking out from the advertisement at anyone who’ll cast a glance. Not only does life (new or old) show that God is real, but it also shows that God really loves. He loves you and paid the ultimate price in the sacrifice of His only begotten Son so that we could be forgiven, accepted, and blessed here and hereafter.
I am learning that most if not all the people I know have faced or are currently facing tests, struggles, and trial; but trials here don’t stop His love or mean that He doesn’t love us. In this world we will have trouble because our world has fallen away and love has grown cold, but God’s love is secure and available. My guess is that not only does God love you, but also, He has placed people, circumstances, provision, and times of real joy and blessing in your life to illustrate what His love is about, though we’ll never fully understand it. Ephesians 3:17-20
So what are we going to do about it? Are we going to moan and groan over the struggles we face, or praise and worship our Lord Jesus for loving us and promising to be with us always …even to the end of the age? He can and will restore and resurrect our joy as no one else can!