In Case You Didnt Know

But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us. (Romans 5:8 NIV)

Beautiful One, how many times have you heard that God loves you?  And, out of all those times, have you thought, Really? Then, why am I going through this?  When that question arises it is often because we are experiencing a difficult season. Troubling times can make us question God, Do you really love me? 

But, did you know you can love God and still question His love for you? You can have an innate desire to follow him, yet struggle in your efforts to follow Him. This can cause ripples in your spiritual life that, in your mind, create conflict in your relationship with God.

For most of us, it's part of the process: Trouble, doubt, and shortcomings all play a part in the production of us!  And, if we can be real and not put on a facade to impress others, God will use all of us no matter who we are. He will turn what we've been through around and use it for something good. In fact, the bigger the mess He has to work with, the greater the message of how awesome He is will be!

Think, for a moment, of the ones God has used in the past. Think of Rahab, the prostitute, who hid two spies sent from God. In one defining act of faith, her whole house was spared when a city wasn't. Or, what about David? He is known as the man after Gods own heart. Really? He was an adulterer, liar, and murderer, yet God blessed him and established his throne forever.

What about Jonah, the one who didn't want to help hundreds of people. He was angry at God for wanting to save them. So much so, that after God told him to go to Nineveh so they might have an opportunity to repent, Jonah headed in a completely different direction. Jonah did not want anything to do with it. Even still, God pursued the wayward prophet, because, in case you didn't know, when God wants something done, God wins!

What about the Samaritan woman who shamefully made her way to the well in the hottest part of the day? After all, she was the talk of the town because she had had several husbands and was currently living with a boyfriend. But, who was waiting for her? Jesus! He waited by the well so He could tell her everything her heart needed to hear. Jesus wasn't detoured by the outward appearance of her actions, because, in case you didn't know, God looks at a person's heart. The more trouble there is on the outside often indicates  the amount of turmoil going on in the inside.

Then, there's the great Apostle himself, Paul. He was an upright man. A little too upright to be exact. He was a great leader who was arrayed in religion. Only God doesn't like religion, He's all about relationship, and when Jesus came God had to take this upright man who was persecuting believers and put his foot down. He knocking Paul to the ground and blinded him so that he would not rely on what he saw. God wanted Paul to see with the eyes of his heart. And Paul the persecutor became God's Pastor.

Beautiful One, whats my point?

The point is, God loves the unlovely!  God doesn't wait until we have it all together to love and use us. If that was the case, then we're all in trouble! God loves us just the way we are, with all of our problems, theories, and situations. Or, do you think He just loves prostitutes, adulterers, and self righteous people like Rahab, an outcast Samaritan, David, Jonah, or Paul?

Beautiful One, when you really look at the lives of the ones Ive mentioned, you can see that they each shared a common problem; themselves! Each one got themselves into a mess. But, they also share the same solution to their messes; God!

In case you didn't know, God has the edge on every corner in your life. He has the answer, and if we will quit trying to analyze the problem ourselves, maybe we will be able to hear it.

We serve a great God. He's bigger than we can possibly comprehend. When we are down, He's there, and Beautiful One, God never finishes anything on the downside! 

Today, if your head is hanging low, I dare you to look up. If you think He doesn't love you, remember He died for you before you ever did anything right, or wrong! And there is nothing you will ever do that will make God love you more than He does right now. Keep walking, acknowledge him in all your ways and as you go, you will be healed, and restored. Surely this God of ours will shine light in our darkness and repay everything back to us that has been stolen.

He's not called Wonderful for nothing!

Beautiful One, just believe, because, in case you didn't know, He loves you.