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. Ephesians 3:19 (LASBNLT)
This past Friday was a pure day of rest for me. A sabbath! After a week of new things, Friday came graciously and offered me a moment to breathe. And when I showed up at our place, HE was already there, waiting for me! I came away to our place by myself, and found HIM there beckoning me, telling me to come and tell HIM the things on my heart. HE who maintains the world as it was initially created waits for me.
And then it hit me…if only we knew.
My heart aches for the condition of the world, but more so for the condition of the church, for those of us who proclaim the name of Christ. I ache for we often operate as if we do not know, and it confuses the non-believer. How often have I engaged in religious activity, hurled Bible scripture one after the other, thinking that I knew. How often have I stood while beating chest, proclaiming loudly and profusely that “I am a child of God!”
But then, HE meets me in my place, and reveals to me how little I know of HIM. HE meets me in our place and begins to reveal to me…HIM!
To know God is one thing, but for Yahweh to reveal Himself is the divine orchestration of HIM who has declared, “I will have mercy on whom I will have mercy and be gracious to whom I will.”
On this journey of revelation of Yahweh, this thought resonates within me…if only we knew.
If only we all knew that HE loves us and that HE waits for us. Chaos would cease, peace would prevail, bondages would break, and joy would be fulfilled. The meaning of this life would all of a sudden make sense.
If only we know that HE loves us all, in our unfit state, and desires fellowship with us right where we are.
If only we knew that HE loves us past our vile behavior and actions.
If only we knew. HE loves the christian and the sinner, the gay and the straight, all colors, the racist and the non-racist, pro-life and pro-choice supporters, the good people and the bad people, democrats and republicans, conservatives and liberals, jews and catholics, protestants and gentiles, male and female. This is the knowledge that is often hard to put our carnal minds around. The fact that HE loves us all, right where we are.
We love HIM, because HE first loved us…and there is absolutely nothing that can separate us from HIS love. Jesus left us two commandments…the greatest commandments…to love God with all our hearts and to love our neighbors as ourselves. By this will men know who you are…
By this shall all [men] know that you are My disciples, if you love one another [if you keep on showing love among yourselves].John 13:35 (AMPC)
There are many bad and evil things in the world. Actions of which have dire consequences which must be paid. That is the purpose of the laws of the land. While any crime or evil deed must not go unpunished, I stand on the side of truth…and that truth is that HE loves us all, and can heal us of all those things that are not like HIM.
Evil actions are never condoned by HIM, but HIS love never ceases. There is no rating of sins to HIM…my small private sin is the same as public atrocities.
I make a disclaimer that I am by no means condoning any evil actions, particularly those towards children and the unborn. But, I am suggesting that the church would take a slightly different approach and do less bashing, more praying for healing and restoration, and more loving. I pray that the church would do more to point those who are victims and those who victimize to The ONE who can heal all pain.
For it is my Father’s will that all who see his Son and believe in him should have eternal life. I will raise them up at the last day.” John 6:40(LASBNLT)
That’s my goal, that’s my desire, if you will, to show as many as I can, that HE loves us unconditionally. That earth has no pain that Heaven cannot heal. I would hope to convey to all searching to not look to me as an answer, and please do not turn to disbelief when my actions don’t always measure up. But, please always remember that HE loves us with an everlasting love.