“See what great love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are!”
– 1 John 3:1a
Pastors like to preach on things that they struggle with. It’s an old joke that whatever you hear your pastor talk about often is the area they most need breakthrough in. On that note, I had a friend say to me once, “Bobby, you must really struggle with loving people.” It certainly got my attention and it brought me to the place where I could be honest and say that I really do struggle to feel loved. I don’t know why; I had great parents and a great family, but I think my experience growing up of being rejected for being tenderhearted taught me to stonewall. I learned that to be tough is the way to get by in the world. So much of my life in the last ten to fifteen years has been learning from Hannah, from my kids, and others in my life that I really am lovable. Friend, it doesn’t matter who you are, what you’ve done or how far you feel from God; you are worthy of love. The reason I preach on this so much is that I believe it’s a message that we all need to hear, again and again, until it drops from our heads to our hearts. Maybe you feel numb or locked up; I want you to know that I have learned through others and by the Holy Spirit that Jesus loves everything about you. He’s not embarrassed by you, He’s not rejecting you and He’s not holding your past against you. You are His beloved child and He adores you. Isn’t that wonderful news? |
Prayer
Jesus, help me to receive and live in your love; may it drop from my head to my heart so that I can be transformed.
Reflection
Do you live in the reality of God’s love?
One Response
It’s so hard to live in this world with all the negativity that you hear. But God is Love !!!! I set back and just listen to people and when it is right I put my two cents in. I don’t want to be a “Stone Thrower” but instead a “Stone Catcher” . I have so much Love and can’t contain myself, it’s a Gift from God !!!!!! He taught me along the way, I have had such negative people around me all my life, I said to myself that God has given me one life to live, let it be for him, that day I got to see your GrandFather in GrandRapids Mi , I will never forget his smile, I seen it through his eyes and into his sole, so yes I open my heart to people and show them Love , Let it be me My Lord !!!!!!