God’s taking me through one of the most challenging times of my life to draw me closer to Himself. Sometimes I want to ask HIm to give me a break and give me a time of rejoicing – well, I am in His comfort.
Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort,
who
comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any
trouble with the comfort we ourselves have received from God.
For just as the sufferings of Christ flow over into our lives, so also through Christ our comfort overflows. Indeed, in our hearts we felt the sentence of death. But this happened
that we might not rely on ourselves but on God, who raises the dead.
2 Corinthians 1:3-5, 9
Last week I took my Saturday off and tried to spend some overdue time with the Lord. I became frustrated to the point of pain and tears because I felt like I couldn’t talk with Him. I was in a mindset that I couldn’t find the words to even talk to God and I didn’t want to hear anything He might have wanted to tell me. I’d built a wall between myself and the most important relationship I’ll ever have. It became hours of stubborn silence.
God’s showing me what His heart says about love and relationships. He’s patient with me as He redefines what love is and how He values our relationship to Him. I know the Bible says that God cares about the details of our lives but when it comes to love and relationships I’ve long been in the practice of hesitation. But what He’ shown me recently keeps pushing His Truth into action. Refreshing the power of
1 Corinthians 13:4-8
Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud.
It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs.
Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth.
It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails.
This is God’s “faithful love that endures forever.” (Psalm 136) I guess I’ve allowed the world to define love and relationships for me as a feeling that’s temporary and based on what you look like or what you do – even in my relationship with God I’ve felt that way. We need to claim truth more often in our lives and the promises of His character. Through comfort and His people I’m relearning His love.
God’s love is hard but it’s worth it when you discover the intimate relationship with Him. The relationship with our God must be desperately desired above all else. It is the foundation. It is awesome and full of wonder! For God did not give us a spirit of fear and timidity but of power, love, and self-discipline. I want to love now – the Lord more than ever before and spend sweet precious time with my God just like Jesus spent time with His Father. And be more intentional about loving His people as He would love them. It’s a radical life-altering decision to be in love with God. You want more of it always, live for it, breath it in. Can’t live without that communication – I’m desperate for it and to share it.
