Scripture
Keep on giving your thanks to God, for He is good.
~Psalm 118:1, Passion
Quote
Jesus loves you and there is nothing you can do about it.
~Junior Hill
Just as the Patriarch Joseph made a commitment to love his sorry brothers, so God in eternity past made a decision to love us. It is His decision, His choice, His initiative and His character that makes a love relationship with Him possible. There is absolutely nothing you and I can do to earn, merit or deserve His love. His love is unrelenting, unending, and unconditional. You can’t do anything to cause Him to love you more or less. You have no influence over His attributes. He is who He is in spite of what you think, believe or do. The theme of the story in Luke 15 is the FATHER’S immutable love. The boys behavior had no influence on his father’s love. Understanding this one simple, yet profound truth, can set your free of a lot of worry and fear. It is one of those truths that move you to higher ground.
Eddie Arnold had a hit many years ago called “Make The World Go Away.” The refrain went like this…
Make the world go away
And get it off my shoulders,
Say the things you used to say
And make the world go away.
I think Eddie was talking about the love of a woman. When he was in her presence, nothing else seemed to matter. Most of us have been in love at least once and don’t get me wrong, I am not knocking it. You are so enamored, so caught up in the euphoria of love when in her presence, time doesn’t matter and you cannot focus on anything but her. This is erotic love at its apex but it will not last. Erotic love has a short life span. What happens is our love moves from eros to one of the other more mature loves. For believers the goal is agape, unconditional love graced by the Spirit of God. You stop loving to get and begin loving to give.
The ideal for a believer would be to fall deeply in love with Jesus and to crave being alone with Him. He can take the world off your shoulders. He can bare any burden you carry. Billy Graham speaks of a Scottish Comedian who received word that his son had been killed in France, World War II I suppose. Later he told a friend, “I had three options. I could look inward, dwell on my sorrow and turn bitter; I could turn to drink and drown my problems in alcohol; Or I could bring my burdened heart to Christ and let him share my sorrow.” I think the third option is best.
Extra
Big day at the POINT: we have our 49’s fellowship. We are having roast beef, beans, cornbread, fried taters, squash puppies and more. We eat at 11:30 if you want to join us. Big Mama is at the surgery center having her left hand fixed; she is probably not going to make it. Mickey had his Gaul bladder removed yesterday and he is questionable. Big Daddy {Mike Childers} is wrapping up his first week in rehab. Mike is doing good.
I hope you have a great day and a great weekend.