On the hunt for some new clothes, I purchased some unrelated items. As I walked towards the exit I noticed that a pair of pants were still in my buggy. I turned around as one of the checkers was finishing up with a customer. I told her I realized I did not check out these pants and would she please check them for me. She was astonished that I wouldn’t just walk on out with the unpaid item.
That brought about a conversation on honesty, integrity and more. She told me that every time she had ever done something wrong something terrible had happened to her. She went on to say “I couldn’t steal anything because God would do something bad to me!” I did try to bring the conversation to something a little more personal and loving. Even her t-shirt had a scripture and a reference to following God. I asked her about the church initials on it as well, thinking it might be an inroad to more conversation. But she said “don’t get her to lying,” she had bought it at a yard sale.
God’s not out to get us. But He is out to get our attention. He’s not waiting to destroy us when we do something wrong. But He is trying to speak to our hearts when things aren’t right with Him.
Oh beloved, it’s time for you to believe God. What He says is true. The world has many skewed ideas of Him. When we believe the lies, we too get a skewed view of Him. He wants you to know this morning that you are His child. Just as parents teach children, so too God teaches you. But He’s not standing on the edge of your consciousness waiting to force you to submit or give you a terrible outcome if you mess up. He is always waiting with open arms for your open heart. He wants you to entrust yourself to Him. He calls you beloved, beautiful, redeemed, chosen, wanted, cherished. He also calls you soldier of the cross, valiant warrior, member of His royal army. Let God love you, believe what He says about you and then let Him use you to be salt and light wherever you go. Danny and I could have chosen to worry about what we did wrong and wring our hands the entire time we were in the hospital, focusing on the troubles. It was part of God’s plan for us to rely even more on Him and to cling more strongly to His promises because we know He loves us no matter what. You have a choice to believe God and that choice is part of your calling and destiny.
God loves you and He’s for you! Whatever trial or temptation you are facing, God has a plan for good for you. And the outcome is called unprecedented and glorious! Quit thinking that God will get you at any moment and believe that He will help you. Rejoice that whatever the world says, His Word is stronger, higher and louder than the world. And go forth in wisdom power and love as you live in the Light of His redeeming love for you!
Psalm 143: 8 “Let the morning bring me word of Your unfailing love, for I have put my trust in You. Show me the way I should go, for to You I entrust my life.”
I John 4: 18 “Such love has no fear, because perfect love expels all fear. If we are afraid, it is for fear of punishment, and this shows that we have not fully experienced His perfect love.”
Galatians 2: 20 “My old self has been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me. So I live in this earthly body by trusting in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me.”
I John 4: 16 “We have come to know and have believed the love which God has for us. God is love, and the one who abides in love abides in God, and God abides in Him.”