On Wednesday, Hadley said something that will stick in my mind forever. He said, “Sometimes we don’t believe that God’s commands are for our joy.” #BOOM!! Are you kidding me? Is that blowing your mind as much as it did mine?!
When God breathed into earth this existence, when the fall of man happened in that moment that Eve decided to take matters into her own hands, and when the Lord commanded His people to follow His design, He did it for US. The “regulations” of God are not for His own pleasure or power-hungry fulfillment. He is not a “kid with a magnifying glass burning us like little ants” as many people have called Him. He loves us with a fierce, passionate, sweet, and satisfactory love that comes with guidelines for our life to protect us, to cherish us, and to help us live as joyfully and fully as possible in our earthly life.
Having worked with teen girls for about six years now, I have learned and seen so much of this truth. Each and every time that a young lady comes to me and says she is addicted to drugs, she gave away her virginity, or she is struggling with pornography, etc… she is regretful. She is in pain. She is broken. Because in those moments of temptation, in those moments of compromise, she didn’t believe that God’s commands were designed intentionally for her joy. We all have been in a place like this. We all have chosen to love the world more than we love His promises, and I’m sure that most of us can testify to experiencing his shocking Grace and forgiveness.
Take a look into the heart of Jesus and his unconditional, intentional Love for us. Oh, and I love you!
John 15:9-15
“I’ve loved you the way my Father has loved me. Make yourselves at home in my love. If you keep my commands, you’ll remain intimately at home in my love. That’s what I’ve done—kept my Father’s commands and made myself at home in his love.
I’ve told you these things for a purpose: that my joy might be your joy, and your joy wholly mature. This is my command: Love one another the way I loved you. This is the very best way to love. Put your life on the line for your friends. You are my friends when you do the things I command you. I’m no longer calling you servants because servants don’t understand what their master is thinking and planning. No, I’ve named you friends because I’ve let you in on everything I’ve heard from the Father.”
No comments:
Post a Comment