BECAUSE OF HIS GREAT LOVE

Yesterday, unannounced and for the second time in a week, I looked out to see my neighbor clearing the snow from my driveway with his tractor. I actually do not even know this particular neighbor very well. It is not a huge sacrifice on his part but it was a huge and unexpected blessing to me.  It is humbling to stand and watch someone who has no expectation of a return favor, do something so kind for you.

When you are surprised by similar gestures, there comes a rush of emotion and a quickening of your heart. Initial confusion is followed by a feeling of humility as you are overwhelmed with the realization of the fact that someone would go out of their way to be so kind in a random act of kindness. The level of sacrifice on their part is immaterial in that moment.  It really is the thought which counts.

There can be a similar experience in our heart each time we consider what our Creator did for us when He sent His only son as a sacrifice for our debt. It is even more overwhelming to consider that it was no RANDOM act of kindness. Can I just tell ya something?  What Jesus endured on the cross was absolutely an intentional act of perfect love.

Though the perfect love of God may be a depth of love which is beyond the realm of our comprehension, it is not beyond our apprehension through the power of God’s Holy Spirit within us.

A primary mission of Satan is to tempt us to forget just how deep God’s love is for us. Distractions often come in the way of difficult circumstances.  Problems with our health, financial struggles, relationship issues, etc. provide opportunities for distraction and to take our eyes off of our hope.  Lasting joy comes not from our current circumstances in this temporary life.  Our joy comes from our identity in Christ.  Rather than dwelling on our circumstances, let us dwell on this:  We are a new creation, no longer a slave to sin, and alive in Christ simply because of His intentional act of perfect love. 

Christian, what we need in order to maintain lasting joy in this temporary life is quite evident: We need more focus on the things of God and less focus on ourselves. #MásDeTi

But God, who is rich in mercy, because of his great love that he had for us, made us alive with Christ even though we were dead in trespasses. You are saved by grace! 

Ephesians 2:4-5 CSB