Megan Evans, Women’s Ministry Director LHBC
1 John 4:10
“This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins” (NIV).
It wasn’t an oops. It wasn’t a back-up plan. As He spoke the world into existence, God’s love was already perfect. God knew the risk of loving us, not that his perfect existence would be damaged, but that many he loved would never love him back. There would be suffering, loss, and sacrifice by all involved. God set eternity in the human heart, but we truly cannot fathom what he has done from beginning to end (Ecclesiastes 3:11). God gives us the choice to love him, and that makes us a risk. We could reject him, we could fight him, we could harm his beloved. Our hearts cry out today Lord because you deserve to be loved back by someone as good and holy as you are, yet our key verse reminds us that you chose us and loved us first.
We are a risk. How often are we unfaithful to the One True God who is worthy of worship? How often do we run to the arms of others and other things in pursuit of “perfect” love and happiness? We are impatient and rush God’s perfect plan for our life. We pout when it doesn’t go our way. We forget to trust you. We’ve let you down many times. We’ve forgotten to thank you. There are seasons that we’ve shrugged your love away. We’ve even yelled at you! In human eyes it seems reckless, or careless to keep pursuing us. It makes no sense that you would love mankind, that you would love me. Yet it is perfect love because You Lord, are perfect love. It is the greatest love story ever told.
What is your love story with God? Most of us know this as our testimony, but it’s a love story. It becomes a testimony when we share it. Have you ever told your love story? Have you ever written down how the Author of your days wrote His story into yours? When we were utterly helpless, Christ died for us and the Holy Spirit has filled our hearts with his love (Romans 5:6-11). How the world needs to hear that the greatest love that ever existed could be their story too (John 3:16).
PRAYER FOR THE DAY:
Father, how humbling it is to remember that I was once your enemy, separated from you. Your powerful, perfect love won my heart and your grace brings me to your side. I’m still a risk because my love isn’t perfect. Sanctify me, make me more like Your Son Jesus each day. I bask in your presence today as your beloved child. May your love story never cease to amaze me. In Jesus Name, Amen
MEMORY VERSE FOR THE WEEK:
Psalm 19:14
Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in your sight, O Lord, my rock and my redeemer.