Recently Scott and I went on a super quick, unexpected overnight trip. We had nothing planned other than to just get out of town. Time to pack did not exist. I first and foremost grabbed my toothbrush. I also threw in a change of clothes, and snatched up my book bag on the way out the door. Despite the rushed exit, it was one of our most relaxing getaways ever, and I had the essentials I needed.
If I only had a few minutes to tell someone about Jesus, what three things would I tell them? Knowing I didn’t have time to plan and outline the whole story starting with Adam and Eve, through Abraham and into the birth, death and resurrection of Jesus, not to leave out all the wonderful stories of the old testament and the new testament church, what would I tell someone?
You are loved!
You are loved with a vast love that is impossible to completely understand. Ephesians 3:18-19 tells us, “ May you have the power to understand, as all God’s people should, how wide, how long, how high and how deep His love is. May you experience the love of Christ, though it is too great to understand fully. Then you will be made complete with all the fullness of life and power that comes from God”
You may not feel lovable, you may not have experienced the love you are worthy of in past relationships, but God’s love is real and is there for you. That is the first concept I would want everyone to hear. Just like having my toothbrush is essential for an overnight stay, knowing that God loves you is the linchpin to understanding Him. He made you uniquely just the way you are and loves you unconditionally. You are designed by Him for His purpose.
“For we are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago.” Ephesians 2:10
“I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made;” Psalms 139:14
God Loves YOU!!!
You are forgiven!
No matter what ugly darkness is in your past, you will be forgiven if you ask. 1 John 1:9 tells us, “If we confess our sins to him, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all wickedness.”
God is so willing to forgive us. His word tells us over and over again that our sins will be forgiven. Not just forgiven, Isaiah 55:7 says they are generously forgiven. Colossians 2:13-15 says the record is cancelled for ALL of our sins. Hebrews 8:12 says our sins will never be remembered again. I don’t know why, but accepting that God has forgiven us is sometimes easier than forgiving, ourselves?
Last week I made an extremely selfish decision. I was disappointed in myself. I confessed; I know I’m forgiven. Unfortunately, I’ve had to repent for this before which is so humiliating. Here I am doing it again. I keep reliving that moment and wishing I could go back and redo that extremely selfish moment. I am forgiven; it is in the past. I know that. Yet, I am still struggling to let it go. There is freedom in forgiveness. We have to step into that and trust we are forgiven as well as forgive ourselves.
I pray that you can accept your forgiveness and give yourself the grace that God has so generously given us.
You are not alone!
This journey of life is hard. I look around and see the hurt and loss that people have to suffer through, and my heart breaks. The good news is, we don’t have to live life alone; God is ALWAYS with us. Yes, even in those times when I would lie in bed thinking I had to get these tears to stop or my face would be a swollen mess the next day. Yes, even when problems were flying at me faster than I could count and many with no foreseeable answers. God was with me. God’s quiet, unintrusive Spirit is always there.
He doesn’t stand up and yell, wave his hands and say, “Look, I’m over here.” No, He is the calm that can be felt when you stop and take a deep breath. He is the peace that is under all the chaos. He is there just as he promised, patiently waiting to be recognized. We have to learn to look for Him, but He is there, and His Spirit will guide you.
“This is my command – be strong and courageous! Do not be afraid or discouraged. For the Lord your God is with you where you go.” Joshua 1:9
“And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Advocate, who will never leave you.” John 14:16
“I will never fail you. I will never abandon you.” Hebrews 13:5
Right now, stop and take a deep breath. Sit in quiet stillness with God and know you are loved, you are forgiven and you are not alone.
View From My Shoes 