God's Love for Us

One of the best sermons I ever heard was from a young Pastor speaking of his son. In detail, he described the joy of his birth, his first steps, and the first words the boy uttered. He went on to tell of early success in school, in athletics, and in various hobbies and events the family participated in with the young boy. He watched him grow and, at the same time, knew the love for his son would increase with each passing year.

Craig Catlett

He told of being his son’s father, his protector. DO NOT, he insisted, approach my son with intentions of harm.

Imagine if you were God, who watched His son being born. Watched him grow to be the light He so intended him to be. Watched as he was scorned and tortured. And then in the act of ultimate love and grace, sacrificed His son so that we could be set free.

God loves us. ALL of us. As we are. 
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Try looking in a mirror and saying out loud, “God loves me — just as I am”. Say it again. Then realize that each of us is loved by God — just as we are. God doesn’t love us for the if onlys;

If only I attended church each Sunday
If only I could please my family.
If only I could get all A’s in school
If only I could run faster than everyone else.
If only I made more money … the list is endless — but God doesn’t keep score.
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Adding to the knowledge that God loves you, let’s consider that Jesus tells us in Matthew 5:14, “You are the light of the world”. It is with great dignity, love, and kindness, we can all be examples of God’s love and pour light into an often-darkening world.

Gregory Boyle in “Tattoos On The Heart” tells us, “You are the light. It is the truth of who you are, waiting only for you to discover it.” So, let’s get back to the mirror where we state I am loved, I am light, JUST as I am.

Jeremiah 31:3 tells us that the Lord appeared and said, “I have loved you with an everlasting love. I have drawn you with loving kindness”. It remains for us to absorb the concept that because we are truly loved by God, we can begin to love others and spread light in a place of acceptance and grace.

​In His Name, Craig