I Love You

Our church family gathered at the lake for a baptism.  I was excited about the baptism before I even knew who was being baptized. I'm not even sure why I was so looking forward to this event. Perhaps the Spirit who lives within me decided to fill me with joyful anticipation for this heavenly celebration.

The sun was out and shining gloriously all around. It touched our exposed skin and warmed us to the point that some retreated to the protective cover of the tall trees. Kids splashed and played, colorful rafts and tubes glided across the top of the water as many people gathered around and sang songs of worship to God. 
The beautiful melody rose above the sounds of the people swimming and playing all around. Curiosity took hold of some who intently watched our seemingly strange and impromptu concert on the shore. One young man pulled up his blue and white flotation devise and planted himself directly in front of the pastor as he faced the singers.    
The pastor addressed the crowd and explained the importance and the immense joy of our gathering. Then with solemn determination a little curly haired figure walked out into the shimmering water. Her voice uttered the thoughts of her heart and the reason she stood before us this day. The pastor standing beside her, with what I can only describe as a sort of humble pride, affirmed her words and with great joy prayed for her and confidently baptized her in the name of the Father, The Son, and The Holy Spirit.
Our celebration continued as another soul professed his love for Jesus and with simple faith took the plunge as well. Our time ended with another song of praise and then the sea of believers parted and returned to their fellowship and play.

Charles and I sat in a sunny spot and discussed the possibility of purchasing popsicles from a nearby vender. A young man approached us mid discussion and began a friendly exchange of words. Almost immediately Charles asked the young man what he thought about God.  I watched intently as my husband engaged the young man in spiritual matters. I could tell he hadn't seriously considered these things before now.
Charles asked him if he knew God had a plan for his life. He responded with a sure yes but said he was just going to sit back and watch it unfold as if he was a puppet on strings and God was some kind of puppet master. My heart ached and I was compelled to ask him if he knew God loved him. He just a surly responded, yes, but I knew right away by his almost flippant response that he didn't understand God's love for him.
After a while the young man seeing his sister off in the distance took his chance for escape from what may have seemed to him an uncomfortable conversation and abruptly walked off.

"For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life." (John 3:16)

Probably the most popular bible verse in our nation, but have you ever considered it? A Father gave His Only Son, given to sinful and wicked human beings! Jesus came into the world, a baby born to die though He never sinned. God knew we could never do enough good deeds to be made right, to be justified from our sinful nature. So He in His infinite wisdom and loving kindness sent the answer to our hearts cry, Jesus. Incomprehensible! Though we all turned away from God to our own sinful and selfish desires God made a way for us to be reconciled through Jesus' shed blood. The blood of a perfect lamb, a sacrifice that would atone for the sins of the world if we would only believe in Him. 
What does that even mean? 
 How does someone believe? 
The definition of the word believe is: 

"To have confidence in the truth, the existence, or the reliability of something, although without absolute proof that one is right in doing so: Only if one believes in something can one act purposefully."

I like that last part, "Only if one believes in something can one act purposefully." We all believe in something and we live our lives, we act purposefully, according to what we believe. What do you believe? Do you believe God loves you? Do you know what love is, or do you believe love is only what you've experienced in human form? Have you ever experience God's perfect unfailing love? Do you want to? 

I hope and pray you do! Please don't hesitate to pray right now to God and ask Him to show you His perfect love and to help you understand His love. Ask Him to help you believe in Jesus' atoning death on the cross for your sins. I know it sounds too fantastic to be true but be strong and courageous and take a leap of faith. 

This life is so much more than living for the weekend or a family vacation or a graduation or a wedding or a baby or a house or a job or money or fame. There is life after death. We were made to die once and then comes the judgment. But God made a way and it couldn't be simpler and God wants to help you. Don't let pride get in the way. Kill your pride, die to yourself now so that Jesus can live in you and give you a new life, a victorious and joy filled, abundant life. Not a life without trials or pains. God has ordained the good and the bad. Trust Him! He says He will use all things, even the bad in your life, for good for those who love Him and are the called according to His purpose. 

It's a new existence and its exciting and awesome to be made new! Read these exciting words in 2 Corinthians 5. 

Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new. (2 Corinthians 5:17)

I pray that young man we talked with at the park considers the things that were shared with him. I pray that he seeks to understand God's love and the plan God has for him if he surrenders his life to Him. I hope he remembers the baptism and the worship and the fellowship we shared. I hope he reads the bible and seeks to understand its teachings. I am convinced that God is who He says He is and that He is not far from anyone of us if we would only cry out to Him we will be saved.

 He shall regard the prayer of the destitute,
And shall not despise their prayer.

This will be written for the generation to come,
That a people yet to be created may praise the Lord. (Psalm 102:17-18)

While it is said:

“Today, if you will hear His voice,
Do not harden your hearts as in the rebellion.” (Hebrews 3:15)

"The Lord your God in your midst,
The Mighty One, will save;
He will rejoice over you with gladness,
He will quiet you with His love,
He will rejoice over you with singing.” (Zephaniah 3:17)

The Lord has appeared of old to me, saying:
“Yes, I have loved you with an everlasting love;
Therefore with lovingkindness I have drawn you. (Jeremiah 31:3)

God's love is sure and it is better than anything this life has to offer. That's what we witnessed at the lake in the lives of the two courageous souls who gave up their lives in a public profession of faith and were baptized into Jesus' death and resurrection. That's what I feel in my heart as I look around at where I am now and I remember where He found me and it blows my mind that He would seek me out and love me even though my heart was far from Him. I believe Him when He tells me, "I Love You!" God loves you too, do you believe Him?