Daniel 11:36-12:13 / 1 John 4 / Psalm 123 / Proverbs 29:2-4
There are times when I don’t feel loved, or even when I simply don’t love myself. Just because we don’t feel like we are loved doesn’t mean we are not. Sometimes our feelings lie to us. There are times when someone else shares a positive perspective they have of me with me. I’m usually both encouraged and amazed. Not many are aware of the positive impact they have on others.
Why do you suppose that is? Why aren’t we aware of the blessing we are to others? One, we may be giving to the world from who we are naturally and not be aware of the blessing we bring. Or two, we may have poor self-worth. And, consequently, have no idea of how we encourage those around us. I believe we can work toward not only being aware but also intentional in allowing our unique expression to be felt in the world.
Our basis of love as followers of Jesus Christ is found in 1 John 4:9-10a: “God showed how much He loved us by sending His one and only Son into the world so that we might have eternal life through Him. This is real love…,” the New Living Translation,(NLT).
I appreciate that last phrase: “This is real love.” We talked yesterday about the agape love of God, a love that pours itself out for the good of others. The Father through His Son Jesus did that for us already. Now, we must become aware of the love already given. To become aware, we must be informed and have our hearts opened by Holy Spirit to receive this love.
As sometimes happens, I’m remembering the lyrics to the worship song, Reckless Love, by Cory Asbury. I want to share a portion of those with you: “Oh, the overwhelming, never-ending, reckless love of God. Oh, it chases me down, fights ‘til I’m found, leaves the ninety-nine. I couldn’t earn it, and I don’t deserve it, still, You give Yourself away.”
Please hear me: the love of God exists, period. His love is. Not only does His love exist, but it is also available for you and me. His love is free. His love is accessible. His love brings strength, courage, warmth, and many other things into our souls.
Imagine His love was sitting on a table in your kitchen. You walk up to the table and see the love there. Then you reach your hand out, pick the love up and place it into your chest.
Maybe that sounds far-fetched, but I invite you to imagine yourself doing just that. Pick up His freely available love and take it into yourself. Then see if your perspective on all of life does not change. I believe it will! The circumstances may not change but you will change. You will begin to believe you can do things you did not believe you could.
You will believe that you are valuable, wanted, and loved! You will believe you have something to offer to those around you. You will notice creative ideas coming to mind and you will have a burning desire to follow through on that creativity.
Now that you’ve read this post you have two options. You can walk away and forget what you heard Holy Spirit say to you through these words. Or, you can act, and I have a feeling Holy Spirit is giving you an action step as you read. Do it! Take a chance, be daring, step out and watch your life be crazy blessed!
