With the consistently cold weather we’ve been having, and the fact that our Christmas tree and decorations are up, I have been crocheting like crazy. In the past week I’ve made two scarves, two hats, an ear warmer, and my own Christmas ornament for this year.
There was a time a couple months back when the theme of Creator vs. Creation was showing up over and over again in my life. It seemed like there was something important that I should understand, but I kept missing whatever it was that I was supposed to be learning. But when I finished crocheting my first blanket, it became very clear.
I was so incredibly proud of what I had created, even with the messed up stitches, crooked edges, and any imperfections I didn’t even know about. As I sat on my bed that night, I sensed the Lord telling me, “That’s exactly how I feel about you. I created you. I know everything about you, even the imperfections. And I am so incredibly proud of you. I love you.”
The Lord doesn’t love us because of what we do or because we’re good people. He loves us because we are His. During this time when Creator vs Creation was coming up, we were going through Isaiah 43 at church.
“But now, O Jacob, listen to the Lord who created you.
O Israel, the one who formed you says,
“Do not be afraid, for I have ransomed you.
I have called you by name; you are mine.
2When you go through deep waters,
I will be with you.
When you go through rivers of difficulty,
you will not drown.
When you walk through the fire of oppression,
you will not be burned up;
the flames will not consume you.
3 For I am the Lord, your God,
the Holy One of Israel, your Savior.
I gave Egypt as a ransom for your freedom;
I gave Ethiopia and Seba in your place.
4 Others were given in exchange for you.
I traded their lives for yours
because you are precious to me.
You are honored, and I love you.”
This passage is a beautiful description of God’s love for us. The whole Bible tells the story of God’s love for His people. He doesn’t need to say the words for me to know it’s true, but there’s just something about reading the words “I love you” that makes me think about all the ways He’s proven this. It reminds me of His ultimate act of love in sending His only son to live the life I can’t live, die the death I deserve, and resurrect, defeating death, in the way that I could never do. That’s love. And it’s unconditional.
There is nothing that we can do to make the Lord love us any more or any less. His love is not conditional upon being a “good Christian,” how many Bible studies we’re in, or how much time we spend with Him during the week. He loves us because we are His creation. He loves us because we are His.
There’s so much comfort in knowing there’s nothing I can do to mess that up. I hope it brings you comfort too.
