I am so unbelievably and madly in love with Jesus today, it’s not even funny.
Okay, well, maybe it’s a little funny because it’s probably not every day you read a sentence like that. But it’s true! There’s just no other way to say it. I am so amazed by him and love him so much, I had to write a blog about it.
Doesn’t his forgiveness and mercy and grace and love and sacrifice just blow you away sometimes?? Last Sunday, I heard a pastor say that there are times when he is so blown away by Jesus’ love that he imagines he’s like a kid who goes up to a fire hose to get a drink of water, and all of a sudden the fire fighters turn on the water full blast and the kid is blown completely back by the power of the water. He’s shot straight back, with his arms and legs dangling in front of him and a look of complete shock is on his face.
That is precisely how I feel today.
But that is not how I felt on Monday. Oh no. Monday was a humbling, tough day.
Last Monday, I was reminded of my humanness. Someone sat me down and explained to me that I wasn’t doing certain things well enough, and I needed to do better.
My first reaction upon hearing this was to be defensive. I wanted to yell, “I am too doing well enough!” I wanted to list all the things I did well and compare it to others. But, deep down, I knew that wasn’t the right thing to do. And, even more humbling, I knew this person spoke the truth. I really wasn’t doing well enough. I really did need to do better.
It took a few days for me to let go of my pride. During that time I tried to remain positive, but I struggled. You see, in recent months, I feel God has really been challenging me to “serve without complaint” and to be “joyful and flexible” in all things. This is something I struggle with on normal days, much less on days when I feel challenged.
But God’s mercy is limitless. He is gentle and kind and ever faithful. He knows when we struggle. He is ALWAYS there for us when we struggle. In addition to this steadfast love, he loves us in other ways as well. Specifically, God loves us so much that he will do what he can to improve us and make us the very best possible version of ourselves, so that we might better glorify him.
And that is what blows me away:
First, God created each of us, just as we are. (God created me and my super sensitive heart.)
Second, he loves us despite our weaknesses. (God loves me despite my unjustified pride and anger.)
Third, he loves us so much, he wants to improve us. Instead of giving up on us, he gives us new opportunities to try, try again. (God loves me so much that he wants to teach me how to live and serve without complaint, and, in love, he will continue to provide opportunities to learn this.)
Fourth, and most importantly, God loves us so much, he sacrificed his son for us, so that we might have a relationship with him, and have eternal life. (John 3:16)
Completely. Blown. Away. And totally in love with Jesus for his willingness to die for me, so that I might have eternal life. So that I might know Him. So that, in love, I might learn to be the best possible version of myself, and therefore better glorify the God who loves me so.
May we all go for a drink of water, and receive a fountain (or fire hose) of Jesus’ living water today. (John 4:4-14)
Blessings,
Luci
