“So we have come to know and to believe
the love God has for us.”
I John 4:16 (bolding mine)
It’s a process. It’s been 22 years of reminders. It is necessary, no essential. It is good!
I start most days with my leather journal open on my lap fed with reminders of God’s love for me. Words of scripture spur my prayer time, for me and for you.
Three of my favorites:
“May the Lord direct your hearts
to the love of God and to the steadfastness of Christ.”
II Thessalonians 3:5
“How great is the love the Father has lavished on us,
that we should be called children of God!
And that is what we are.”
I John 3:1, NIV
Jesus has desires! In his prayer recorded in John 17, Jesus references God’s love for him was before the foundation of the world. And that is true for us too. Check out Ephesians 1:4.
“Father, I desire, that they also whom you have given me,
may be with me where I am,
to see my glory that you have given me
because
you loved me before the foundation of the world.”
John 17:24
When I see God’s glory, I am experiencing his love.
When I’m experiencing God’s love, I’m seeing his glory.
“Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.” Hebrews 13:8.
The words of men and women who have walked this journey ahead of me provide courage. A few favorites:
“Define yourself radically as one beloved by God. This is the true self. Every other identity is an illusion.” Brennan Manning
“God did not love us because we are lovable, but because he is love!” From Jack to Joy in Becoming Mrs. Lewis, Patti Callahan
“Words (of God) are sometimes the most effective security systems. The language of love keeps the lies away.” Janet Newberry. I added the parentheses.
God’s love for me, for us, is part of his character.
We are not powerful enough to change his character.
So we don’t need to perform for his love.
These words I penned remind me of the importance of the foundation of God’s love.
God’s love is the springboard,
the beginning,
the basis,
the foundation,
the background of the tapestry,
the resting place for the theme.
When I rest on the foundation of this love,
I relax.
I trust.
I gain perspective.
I am aware.
I keep receiving.
I live expectantly.
There is wisdom.
What does resting on the foundation of God’s love look like for you? How are you responding? Please put your thoughts in the comments. Let’s encourage one another.
One more truth, from the heart of Ann Voskamp.
Copyright: Sue Tell, May 2022
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What a rich blog, Sue! So many powerful thoughts. Thank you for gathering great quotes from others. Brennan Manning is a favorite author of mine. I John 3:1 ministered to my heart as I read it. A sweet reminder that I am a child of God. Thank you for helping us ponder the beauty of God and His love.
Your question for us: What does resting on the foundation of God’s love look like for you? For me, it was and still is a process. When I remember God’s great love for me, my shoulders relax, my perspective becomes clearer, and I let His care for me penetrate my heart and mind. As this happens, my fear decreases, my hope increases, and peace overshadows me. What a gift! When I forget or feel trapped in unbelief and shame, my fear increases, my shoulders tense, and I feel alone. At this point in my journey, I see those responses of fear, unbelief and shame like the red light on the dashboard of my car. I don’t need to dwell there. I can remember what is true and step into it. I am so grateful for God’s patience with me. I am a slow learner!
Louise, your wording communicates well. “When I remember God’s great love … I let his care for me penetrate my heart and mind. … my hope increases, and peace overshadows …”
And for me that key to remembering is reviewing. I love that you described God’s care as penetrating. YES!
Thank you for your thoughts. sue