Loved

My husband is out of town, and won’t be home for Valentine’s Day. Could this possibly mean that he no longer loves me? Of course not. I know I am loved because he bought me flowers before he left. I know I am loved because he tells me so. I know I am loved because he holds my hand. I know I am loved because he makes sure I am provided for. I know I am loved because he likes to spend time with me.

That’s just a short list! I could go on, but I think you get the point…I know that I am loved!

But I know that I am also deeply loved by Someone else. Someone who clothes thousands of different flowers in beautiful colors and patterns for my delight. Someone who takes care of my every need. Someone who holds me in the palm of his hand. Someone who asks for my time, attention, and love. Someone who tells me repeatedly that He loves me.

I am special in his sight, but I am not the only one. He feels the same way about you, my friend! Don’t believe me? Read what his Word says to you:

“For God loved the world so much that he gave his one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life.” (John 3:16 NLT) Are you living on the earth? I’m pretty sure you are! And since you are, this verse applies to you. God loves you infinitely more than I do, because to be honest, I’m not willing to give the life of either one of my sons for you, no matter who you are. But God gave his only Son to die so that you could come into a relationship with him.

Why did He have to die, just so we could have a relationship with God? Think of it this way. We are all street beggars and pickpockets, wearing tattered and filthy clothes. There’s no way we would be allowed in the throne room of the king dressed like that, and our lifestyle certainly could never earn us the right to enter! We’re messy criminals, and we must pay for our crimes.

But the King of Kings looks down on us, and loves us in the middle of, and in spite of, our mess and foul ways. He takes pity on us to such a degree that He sends his Son to trade places with us. His Son puts on our filthy rags, and then pays the penalty for our crimes as well! “But God showed his great love for us by sending Christ to die for us while we were still sinners.” (Romans 5:8)

We in turn are cleaned up, dressed in royal robes, and pronounced innocent. “Yet now he has reconciled you to himself through the death of Christ in his physical body. As a result, he has brought you into his own presence, and you are holy and blameless as you stand before him without a single fault.” (Colossians 1:22)

Not only are we now accepted, we are adopted as children of God, and heirs of the promise of eternal life! From smelly street urchins to royalty! How could this be?? Only through the immeasurable love of God! “God showed how much he loved us by sending his one and only Son into the world so that we might have eternal life through him.” (1 John 4:9)

If we are willing to admit that we really are far from perfect, and that we need the love of our Savior, He is ready and waiting! Tell him so today, trust him, and let his perfect love fill your heart. “Then Christ will make his home in your hearts as you trust in him. Your roots will grow down into God’s love and keep you strong. And may you have the power to understand, as all God’s people should, how wide, how long, how high, and how deep his love is. May you experience the love of Christ, though it is too great to understand fully. Then you will be made complete with all the fullness of life and power that comes from God.” (Ephesians 3:17-19)

You will never again need to fear being unloved! “And I am convinced that nothing can ever separate us from God’s love. Neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither our fears for today nor our worries about tomorrow—not even the powers of hell can separate us from God’s love. No power in the sky above or in the earth below—indeed, nothing in all creation will ever be able to separate us from the love of God that is revealed in Christ Jesus our Lord.” (Romans 8:38-39)

You, my friend, are loved!

*I had to have a little arts and crafts recreation to make the picture for my post! Simple coffee filter and food coloring fun. 🙂