Do you know that Jesus loves you? I can’t get this question out of my head. I think part of the reason is that the reality that Jesus does love me defines my life in so many ways. When I look around at my family and my friends and my successful career(s) and my beautiful home and my amazing provisions I know I have accomplished none of this in my own strength but that all that I have has been a direct gift from God’s hand. I truly do believe that I can “do all things through Him who gives me strength” (Philippians 4:13) and in that I’m working on maintaining the contentment in all situations that Paul was describing in the verses just prior to that statement (v. 12). This can be difficult to do (believe it or not!) in this world where we have been groomed to bristle at the slightest affront to our comfort, sense of self and what we believe is “due” us. But the source of my strength in all situations and in all things is that Jesus loves me.
Jesus, you know Him? Pretty much the most influential human to walk the planet ever, oh wait, but that’s not fair to say, He had a major advantage being that He is also God and all. That’s right, friends, He’s GOD! And have I mentioned that He loves me? Yep, ME! I know, crazy, right? But it gets better, because whether you know who He is, like Him, care that He exists and created you, or are bitter towards Him, He loves you too. That’s right, He loves YOU! I know, I know, I don’t fully get it either, but I don’t really think that’s the point. In fact, the sheer fact that it makes no sense to me, I’ve done nothing to deserve His notice, let alone love, I’m not really that great of a person without those fruits of the Spirit that really aren’t of me in the first place, etc. etc. makes it that much more amazing that He loves me!
No comments:
Post a Comment