I’ve always felt like God has made life pretty simple for us. When I share this position with fellow believers I am often met with perplexed and sometimes defiant responses. Just because our lives ARE complicated and entangled doesn’t mean God intends for them to be that way.
We are the ones that confuse matters, not God. Please don’t misunderstand, I am not saying that what God has done is simple, nor am I in any way minimizing His provision. Quite the opposite. The way I see it, what God HAS provided FOR US is so monumental and magnanimous that it makes our part in the equation simple. He had a plan before the foundation of the world to save us for Himself. (It thrills me to my core to know I was on His mind before the world began.)
God sent His son, Jesus, to be the substitute for my sin, sickness, disease and death. Once Jesus fulfilled His mission, He told us to tell others about what He did. And He gave us the Holy Spirit which gives us the power to do it. God pours out His love in us and upon us when we give our life to Him, He gave us the written Word to follow, and He provides His anointing to raise us above and beyond our ordinary abilities. (Okay, I admit I just oversimplified all of that for the sake of the length of this post).
The times in my life when things get muddy and complicated are when I let these basic truths get lost in the fog of everyday situations. Granted the situations can vary by degrees in drama and importance or even sometimes in emergency. Honestly, though, every single day and all that each day brings, in whatever season of life I am in, the truth of what God’s part is and what my part is never changes. I have only to respond to His love with my heart of faith (believing) and allow Him to demonstrate His love to me. As I do this daily, it becomes as simple as breathing. I grow in believing in His love, and all He asks from me is to return His love. This is the part that is difficult to explain…somehow this process of devotion and affection from a right heart of worship for all He is makes the rest of life pretty simple. I was made to love and be loved by Him. He’s waiting for us every moment of every day with open arms.
Wednesday, August 29, 2007
I Was Made To Love
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5 comments:
Meems:
Thanks for the post! It's good to be reminded that Christianity is as simple as loving God and being loved by Him. Of course, we know that Jesus said, "If you love me, keep my commands." It's those commands that I sometimes have a harder time with. But you so kindly reminded me that with Jesus' gift of the Holy Spirit, I have the power to do it! As you said, He raises me above and beyond my ordinary abilities! What a great thought as I start my day.
A couple of years ago I began working through the Bible concentrating one verses that talked about God's love. Some of my favorites became those that talked about His unfailing and abounding love. Psalm 63:3 also became a favorite.
Before Joshua passed away, he warned the Israelites to "be very careful to love the LORD your God" (Joshua 23:11). When Jesus was asked what the greatest commandment was he replied, "Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind" (Matthew 22:37).
When I truly come to a place where I love God with all that I have- my heart, soul, and mind- everything else flows out of that genuine love. I find it easier to love other people (there are still people who test me and that I may find difficult to love...but it easier to see them through God's eyes.) I also find it easier keep His commands...But that is just personally speaking.
Meems, thanks for reminding how simple it really is...I tend to make things much more difficult! :)
mlm: thanks for the response.
would you agree that once we truly discover just how life-giving, nurturing, soul-satisfying, cleansing and restoring God's love is AND we learn to 'focus on Him' rather than the commands--- the commands don't seem as cumbersome nor do they even seem like 'commands' anymore?
jane: you are not alone! any one who knows me - knows i can make a mountain out of a mole hill in quick work. this post was a reminder to ME... "just let Me love you" ... when i do THAT i breathe in His goodness and as i breathe it out --the things of earth grow strangely dim. :-)
I like this post. I will be visiting often. I have no real comment as I am in one of the most draining times in my life but reading your post was a little like that first cool air of autumn...not completely there but alot of hope for what is coming.
princess: thanks so much for stopping by and taking a moment to comment. it thrills me to know we gave you a glimpse of the cool air we are all looking forward to. i hope things calm down a bit for you soon.
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