God is always with me.
God is love.
I have eternal life through the grace of the cross.
God gives life.
Those are some simple truths. So simple that they are often understated and overlooked while getting caught up in the relatively tiny issues that destroy the unity that's supposed to exist within the Church (but I won't get into that mess right now).
Truth #1: God is always with me. Looking back, I can totally see that God has always been with me & guiding me from the time I was little (and even before that). He knew what He was doing when He gave me the best parents in the world, who always show me what it means to live in relationship with God. He knew what He was doing while solidifying my foundation in Him as I grew up going to church & attending a Christian school. He knew what He was doing when I set foot in a public high school and began the humbling process of expanding my world beyond myself. In hindsight, I can look back with a smile on my face & see how that was the beginning of the wrecking process – the process of getting over myself. It's like up to that point in my life I had been eating from a bowl of peanut butter M&Ms…then all of a sudden I tasted a lemon-flavored Warhead, which jolted me to open up my eyes & see so much more. He also knew what He was doing when He gave me the passions I have in my heart to grow during my years at college. And He most definitely knew what He was doing when He stepped in & turned my plans upside down to send me on this crazy race in order to know Him more. God always has been, and continues to be, with me.
Truth #2: God is love. It’s not just that He shows love or He gives love…He is love. God defines love. Love defines God. He loves me because He loves me…because He loves me. That sort of love is so incomprehensible, but so good. Nothing I do or don’t do will change the fact that He loves me ridiculously. And the Bible tells me to love others with that same love. To love simply, without exceptions or any hidden agendas. To look at the people directly in front of me, whoever they might be, and to love them as they are because they are unique creations of God, made in His image. And since God is love, every bit of love that I show others is showing them a piece of God’s character. On the other hand, every time I choose not to show that love, I’m choosing to selfishly keep what God has so freely given me. And that hurts His sons and daughters around me who so are so desperately searching for their Father’s love…especially because sometimes my expressions of love are the only glimpses at the Father that they might see. And really, who am I to deny others the joy that can be found in God’s perfect love?
Truth #3: I have eternal life through the grace of the cross. This one has really been blowing my mind, in so many ways. I’m fairly certain I could write a book of my ramblings on the topic…but I won’t start now. But just think for a moment, Jesus died on the cross after living a sinless life to be the perfect sacrifice for every sin ever committed. Hence, just by acknowledging that I’ve screwed up & deciding to accept the fact that Jesus did all that for me, I get to spend all of eternity with Him! And by eternity, I mean forever & ever & ever & ever & ever & ever & ever & ever… That’s crazy! Like in this moment right now, I have eternal life. My life will never end. John 3:36 says, "Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life…" It's not something to be grasped or gained at the end of time; eternal life starts simply by believing in Jesus, by accepting His gift of life. Sure at some point down the road I’m gonna get rid of this body, but that’s even cooler because then I get an upgrade & will finally go home to live with my Father forever! (I haven’t even really touched on the grace of the cross yet, but more on that will most certainly come another time.)
Truth #4: God gives life. God loves to give good gifts to his children. He loves to see our delight in His goodness. Yet sometimes I find myself feeling like God should give me this or that because of what I’ve sacrificed for Him. I don’t delight in the simple things around me because I search for something more. And then it hits me – who am I to think God owes me anything?! That’s such a messed up mindset. Without Him, I am nothing. Literally nothing. But God is so full of grace and love, that He gives freely. Everything around me is a gift rooted in His grace. I’m so thankful for he sun, the sky, whatever amount of food is on my plate, my feet, my hands, the grass, the aroma of the flowers, the wind, the leaves rustling in the trees, clean water, a pillow, a blanket… Every single thing is a gift of God's grace. I’m thankful for yet another month where I get to spend lots of time painting a fence because it gives me more time to get to know God & those around me, I’m thankful for the hot afternoons playing with the kids because God has allowed me to be a representation of Jesus to them, I’m thankful for blisters on my hands to remind me to be glad that I have the physical ability to work hard… I’m just so thankful! God is good, & whatever He gives leads to life if I choose to thank Him & find joy in the simple things.
Because there is beauty in simplicity.
