CassieI was taking a nap after church today when I found myself with a notebook and pen in front of me.
Before I knew it, the word “Loved” was written on the page.
Writing it had felt involuntary, and reading it made me feel really doubtful. Loved. Did I know that I was loved? Believe it? Why had God put this on my heart?
Clearly it was a Truth I needed to be reminded of… because it brought me to tears.
For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whoever should believe in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.”
John 3:16
“Dear friends, let us love one another, for love comes from God. Everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God. Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love.”
1 John 4:7-8
I have believed a lot of lies in my life that have come to help me realize that nothing but the Truth can actually heal. Going to the Source, my Creator, His WORD… that’s where I discover Truth.
Lies that I’ve believed? Well…
“You’re only loved if you’re the thinnest in the room.”
(Disgusting to admit out loud.)
“You’re only loved if you’re the most productive.”
“You’re only loved if you’re the funniest.”
“You’re only loved if you’re the smartest.”
“You’re only loved if you’re the loosest.” (Back in high school)
“You’re only loved if you’re the friendliest.”
What do these statements have in common?
- They all seek MY love, TO FEEL loved, above all else. They are all inherently related to how loved I feel.
- They all imply that their attributes can be measured.
- They all seek to be “the best.”
What does God say? God, my Father, who formed me in my mother’s womb, who knew my name when He died an excruciating death on a cross, who calls me daughter, even friend… who calls me loved before I even do, am, anything.
Loved.
Not because of my size.
Not because of what I do.
Not because I made someone laugh.
Not because I got straight As.
Not because I kissed someone.
Not because I opened my home to strangers.
No… He loved me before all those things. No “thing” can change His mind about it… He’s God.
What does this Truth draw me to do? If this is True… I know what the enemy wants.
Idle hands are the devil’s workshop; idle lips are his mouthpiece. PROVERBS 16:27
The devil likes to use this Truth about God’s unconditional love to make God’s gifted people lazy and complacent.
But this isn’t my God. The reality of His unconditional love actually makes me want to serve Him with everything in me. It makes me realize that I am meant to be entirely fixed upon Him. That my life is in His hands, for His purposes, and that this world is His.
I am called to share this unconditional love with my every breath. My life is called to be surrendered to Him.
Lord, oh Lord, how I do not deserve Your unconditional love… yet, You say it is mine. I pray, Lord, that YOUR Holy Spirit would flow through me to share Your Love and Life with everyone around me.
