“Jesus loves me this I know, for the Bible tells me so, little ones to Him belong, they are weak, but He is strong.  Yes Jesus loves me, yes Jesus loves me,  Yes, Jesus loves me, for the Bible tells me so!”

“Jesus Loves Me” is so much more than just a sweet children’s song.  It is a reality of eternity and it needs to be more than just a concept that we have been taught.  Most of us believe it, but I often wonder, if we have really allowed ourselves to experience it?  What I mean is:  It’s in our heads, but is it really in our hearts?  And if it is in our hearts, shouldn’t that change things?

The truth is that it is hard to understand God’s love.  I mean it really is pretty amazing that God can love someone like you and me, with all of our faults and failures.  But He does love us and with the most amazing and incredible love that we could ever be loved with.  I was watching the movie “October Baby” last week and there is a scene where the daughter is moving into college and as she is walking off from her Dad, she turns and goes running back into his arms and says:  “Thank you for wanting me!”  That line grabbed me and would not let go, because isn’t that really what we all want – to be wanted?

My understanding of love has grown and is growing.  In no way am I an expert or guru, but when I became a Dad, I gained a whole new understanding and insight into love.  Becoming a Dad, allowed love to take on a whole new meaning for me.  Matthew 7:9-12 puts it this way:  9 “Which of you, if your son asks for bread, will give him a stone? 10 Or if he asks for a fish, will give him a snake? 11 If you, then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good gifts to those who ask him! 12 So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you, for this sums up the Law and the Prophets.

I believe that a very big part of love is trust.  When you realize that your Creator really loves you and wants what is best for you, then it is easier to trust Him.  When you trust someone, you believe they will do what is best on your behalf, even without you there to guide or direct them.  When you trust someone, really trust them, you want to spend time with them.  Time with your Creator is not a “have to”, it’s a “get to!”  Matthew 22:36-38 teaches us about what is really important:  36 “Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?”  37 Jesus replied: “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ 38 This is the first and greatest commandment.

God’s love for you and me is amazing!  The fact that He “wants” us, still blows me away and challenges me to ask myself some hard questions.  Questions like:  Do you want more of God?  Because if you really want more of God, then you can have more of God, but you have to be willing to do your part.

Recovery programs often begin with accepting of reality and being honest about our challenges.  So let me start by saying:  “Hello, my name is Michael Joe and I am a sinner saved by Grace!”  I have learned the truth of Isaiah 64:6 which teaches that my righteous works are as filthy rags, next to the righteous perfection of my Almighty Creator and King.  

He does not have to love me, I do not deserved to be loved by Him and I cannot even on my best day do anything to earn His love, but He does love me and I need Him and His love, if I am going to make it through another day.

Think about your life for just a moment:  What’s missing?  I mean, really think about and answer the question, because the answer is your first step in the right direction.  Now ask yourself this follow up question:  “What can I do about it?”  What can you do?  What will you do?  When will you get started?  What are you waiting on?  Make a commitment to do what you can and do it.  Why?  Because God, your Creator loves you and that is more than enough reason!  Live blessed – it’s what you were created for!