I asked myself the other day "does the way I live my life and how I love people bring the world closer to understanding the joy of the gospel?"
This is a tough and convicting question to meditate on. Do I actually behave like the gospel is the greatest news I have ever received? But I grew up hearing the gospel. My parents were missionaries and Sunday school teachers... my whole life I have heard that Jesus loves me... how can I perceive it as news when I have heard it all my life?
The gospel, as it applied to my life, was misunderstood... for so long. I tell my junior high girls that the older I get, the more chances I have to make poor choices. The older I get the more chances I have to make mistakes. I love the Lord. I desire to have a ministry that points to Him and I make mistakes. I miss the mark and I choose me more often than I'd like to admit.
BUT - here's the good news. God loves me. God chooses me. God gave up His crown and perfect community so that my mistakes and poor choices wouldn't take over my life. He pursued and pursues me even when I am running in the wrong direction. He guides me, He comforts me... not because of what I "do" or because of who I am (by status or popularity) but because He is my Father and I am His child. The good news is that He chose my life and saved it.
God is exactly who He is and I cannot change Him, or manipulate Him, or pick and choose His characteristics. God exists because He is "the great I AM" and little me is not in charge of 'creating' Him to fit my needs. He loves me not because of what I do but simply because He does.
There is one God, creator of the Universe and redeemer of my soul and nothing I do can ensure my salvation and life eternal and full of joy - in fact I do nothing to 'deserve' it and yet it is still freely given to me and freely I receive it... knowing that nothing can take that joy away. Nothing can rip me from the secure grip of God Himself.
This is of great comfort to me.
Mark 10
