So now that I’m actually on the race I figure it’s time I finally post about training camp. ?? lol. So if there was only one thing I could take away from training camp it would be this quote..
“There is nothing I can do more and nothing that I can do less to make Him love me any less.”
There is a lot of power in that quote and honestly when I heard it, it was kind of a slap in the face. I realized at training camp that I have been putting God in a place of dictatorship instead of a place of love. A place of religion instead of freedom. You see, I thought I had broken free of religion a long time ago, and I rejoiced in the freedom that Jesus Christ died to give me, but I learned I still have a ways to go. Before camp I was putting so much pressure on my relationship with God. If I didn’t read my bible everyday and if I didn’t pray every day, I would feel shame and guilt. I felt like I was letting God down, like I didn’t deserve His presence in my life anymore.. Shame on me. When I was told the quote above, my heart broke at the realization of how I had really been viewing my relationship with God. Reading your bible and praying every day is important, but it’s not a condition for His love. God doesn’t love us because of what we do for Him, or how much time we spend with Him. He loves us because He is love. He loves us just the way we are, we don’t have to prove anything to Him. Think about it, there’s nothing I can do more (No matter how much I do to further the kingdom, or grow in His knowledge) and there’s nothing I can do less (no valley too low, no sin too great) that is going to make God love me any differently. I don’t know about y’all but it just makes me want to jump for joy and shout at the top of my lungs, YES! God loves me..ME..a sinner who messes up daily. And because of His Grace and love for me, He washes it white as snow each night, and nudges me more into His love daily. I’m so grateful for that.
If you’re in a place right now where you just feel stuck and unworthy of His love and grace I want to encourage you. I’ve been there. I feel your pain, but you don’t have to feel that way anymore! He loves you! Right where you are right now. He loves you all the same!
Blessings to you all!
In His Grace,
Nicole
