Sometimes I need to be reminded of how much the Lord loves me. I am not worthy of that love, indeed I can be VERY unlovable, but He loves me just the same.
Family conflicts, financial uncertainty and migraines that come all too often lately have drained me of my joy and my energy. As I was contemplating all that’s going on a song began to play through my thoughts.
Who am I, that the Lord of all the earth
Would care to know my name
Would care to feel my hurt?
Who Am I? – Casting Crowns
The Lord of all the earth, the maker of heaven and earth, the God of the universe loves me so much that HE knows my name, He counts all my tears and puts them in a bottle. He sent His one and only Son to die on the cross for my sins that I might have eternal life. He did that for ME. Why? Because He loves me. No other reason.
But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.
Romans 5:8
I KNOW He loves me, but sometimes I get so busy or so consumed with everything going on around me that other things crowd in, clamoring for my attention, pushing Him to the background. I am trying more and more to not let that happen. I am making choices to simplify my life and eliminate things that take too much time and energy. I don’t mind being busy but it is my desire to eliminate as many things and voices that compete with the One voice I truly want to listen to. Many days I completely avoid social media and choose instead to open my well-worn Bible and hear from the One who holds all things in His hands.
Who am I, that the bright and morning star
Would choose to light the way
For my ever wandering heart?
Who Am I? – Casting Crowns
The depth of His love for His children is unimaginable but I am choosing to let the Lord love me. What does that mean? In the gospel according to John, John refers to himself as “the one whom Jesus loved”. Does this mean Jesus didn’t love His other disciples? Certainly not! John was leaning on Jesus’ bosom at the last supper. John put himself in a place to receive God’s love. Think about your children. When they all grow up and move out some move farther away than others. The ones who choose to stay close by are recipients of your love more often than those who are farther away and busy with their own lives. The ones who stop in often are the ones who get cookies fresh from the oven or tomatoes fresh off the vine. They get the hugs and the grand babies get the snuggles. Do you love them more than the ones farther away? No! Of course not! But they are in a position to receive your love more often. I believe that’s what John meant when he called himself that. I want to be able to call myself “the one whom Jesus loved”. I want to feel His presence. I want His words to ring in my heart when trials come my way.
Not because of who I am,
But because of what You’ve done.
Not because of what I’ve done,
But because of who You are!
Who Am I? – Casting Crowns
His love for me has nothing to do with any good I’ve done, just the opposite, (“while we were still sinners Christ died for us”) but I am choosing to acknowledge His love for me and let it fill me to overflowing that I might have an abundance to share with those around me.
I have no control over anything outside my four walls (and six acres) but I do have a choice in how I let those things affect me. I am choosing to seek the Lord with all my heart, putting Him first and learning more and more of His word. His word is living and powerful and sharper than any two-edged sword (Hebrews 4:12) and I am choosing to fight my battles on my knees these days.
For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds.
2 Corinthians 10:4
I am so thankful I serve a God who loves me and is concerned about all the details in my life, in fact He tells us to pray about everything and pray without ceasing. What a comfort to know He is always there and always listening.
Won’t you choose to let Him love you today? Won’t you choose to be in His word and in His presence and allow Him to conform you into His image? Just as the Prodigal’s father was watching and waiting for his son’s return, our gracious heavenly Father is awaiting our return. I pray that today you would choose Him and allow His peace and love to fill you to overflowing.
My thoughts and prayers are with you today.
Blessings,
Michelle
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