God is love. I have probably heard that all of my life, but it didn’t really register what that meant until the past couple of years. I have just recently begun to see God as a God of love. It’s not that He hasn’t always been, it’s just I didn’t see it. Have you ever been there? Something was there all along, yet your experiences keep you from seeing it?
Well, I believe there are many in this world that don’t see God as a God of love. This is because we live in an evil, sin filled, world that is falling further into the pit every day. I find I have to work really hard some days to see the good and to see God.
However, when I do, I always find it and God. Like today, there are crazy, fear filled COVID stories in the news and sad, horrifying stories of shootings all across the US. That can depress anyone. However, what I see today is the sun is shining and the flowers are beginning to bloom. The grass is green again, and despite the fact we may get snow tonight in the KC area (ugh…) I feel blessed to know God created it all for us to enjoy just because He loves us.
As I was considering God’s love this week, I came across these verses:
“Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs.
Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.
Love never fails. But where there are prophecies, they will cease; where there are tongues, they will be stilled; where there is knowledge, it will pass away.”
1 Corinthians 13:4-8
I used to only think of these verses as condemnation or how I wasn’t being a loving person to others. That’s not the case, truly. We should put our faith and hope in God to direct us in these living ways, but as humans we will fail. Others will fail at loving us too, because we are not perfect.
God, however, is perfect. He is love. So, as I read these verses this week it reminded me that God is all of this and so much more.
God is patient.
God is kind.
God is not self-seeking.
God protects.
God ALWAYS perseveres.
God NEVER fails.
God is not surprised by anything happening. He will hate the evil He sees, but He knew it would happen. Yet, guess what? He created this world and you and me anyway!
Why? Because He is love. He wanted a relationship with us so much that He created us for that reason. It was the humans that messed it up, and we continue to mess it up, yet God made a way out of our mess too.
That’s why He sent Jesus – to die for all of our screw ups (AKA: sin). He wanted to have a relationship so much that He created us knowing that we would screw up and He’d have to send His only son to die to save us. Wow…I’m not sure I’ll ever fully comprehend that magnitude of love, but He loves us THAT much!
So, as you continue about your day and your week, remember that you are loved by the Creator of the universe. The most High-King, and the One True God. The only One that can give you the peace you want and crave from life.
Hold onto that today and treasure it, my friends!
© 2021 Susan M. Clabaugh. All Rights Reserved.
Susan, I love today’s message. It’s exactly what I needed to hear. Thank you so very much. I will be reading this message many times.
On Tue, Apr 20, 2021, 4:00 AM Hope After Sexual Assault wrote:
> Susan M. Clabaugh posted: ” God is love. I have probably heard that all of > my life, but it didn’t really register what that meant until the past > couple of years. I have just recently begun to see God as a God of love. > It’s not that He hasn’t always been, it’s just I didn’t see it. ” >
So glad Winnie. God does love you! Take care.