Trusting in the Grace of God's Love

This week’s post is a continuation of last week. Scroll down to start at the beginning.

Photo credit, Thank you to my cousin, Tracey Fraser

God IS Love

” … God is love … ” These three words nestled in the middle of I John 4:16 communicate huge truth – Love is the character of God; love is who God is. God’s love is never challenged or changed by my love. David Benner says in his book Surrender To Love, “What a small god we would have if divine character was dependent on our behavior (or how I love).” parentheses mine

– Hards, Hurricaines, and Horrifics – God is there; his love active. Truly this is hard to trust; it doesn’t make sense to my finite mind. Those why questions come easily; my perspective severely limited. Biblical illustrations come to mind; personal illustrations simmer below the surface; the experiences of my friends hurt too. Recently I was challenged to replace why questions with how or what questions. What might trusting God’s love look like in this situation? How can I trust God now?
I’m trying to remember this.

God’s Love for me is the same love He has for Jesus

” … so that the world may know that you sent me and loved them even as you love me.” John 17:23.

AMAZING! AMAZINGLY TRUE! These words from Jesus’ final prayer (known as his high priestly prayer) paint a picture of the depth of God’s love. This prayer for us whispered before we were even born speaks Jesus’ desire; to add the exclamation point, he repeats it three verses later. As thankful as I am, I can’t grasp it. Once again I pray, what would it look like to trust your love today, Lord? The thought comes to mind, Jesus knows how to deeply minister to others. Today I have lunch with a friend. That’s where today’s trust lies. I pray, Father will you help me to share your love with my friend. Amen.

God’s Love is my guideline for relating to others

“A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you …” John 13:34

I remember our wedding day. We declared our love; we took vows. As I look back, I wonder, did I even understand love on that day? No. In my insecurity as a newly wed, I didn’t get Bill’s love. It looked different than what I had grown up with. We came from very different families of origin. But as I’ve learned to trust God’s love, I’ve come to ~~accept~~ appreciate and enjoy Bill’s love. Love for others needs to be anchored in God’s love.

God’s Love casts out fear

“There is no fear in love, but perfect love casts out fear.” I John 4:18

Another wedding story … We were going to pick out our rings. Bill’s quizzing me on my plan for his inscription was frustrated by my desire for surprise. As we parked, I changed my mind – too late, Bill now into the surprise mode. An engaged couples argument ensued.

I’m not sure why my fear; but it was fear that kept me silent. In retrospect, I know. I desperately needed to trust God’s perfect love for me and then I would be able to trust Bill’s love even though our human love is far from God’s perfect love.

God’s Love is always and forever

“The steadfast love of the LORD never ceases …” Lamentations 3:22 ” … your steadfast love, O LORD, endures forever…” Psalm 138:8

This principle threads throughout the scriptures with words like steadfast and endures. And it is never dependent on me.

Having young GRANDS, Robert Munsch’s now classic children’s book, Love You Forever, came to mind. His words woven throughout the story illustrate God’s love. Perhaps I would switch the last line to My child (of God) you will be. It aptly teaches that our behavior – like unrolling all the toilet paper – doesn’t affect his love, and his love carries from childhood to old age. Interesting, the refrain came to him as a result of two of his children being stillborn. God’s love endures even through our hards.