God loves us, and he wants to communicate with us, but hearing him requires intentional listening on our part. He loves you that much. He cares for you, personally, individually, right now, exactly who you are, where you are at this very moment in time. No exceptions.
Our sin-soaked selves can come before the throne of a holy God and be met with peace singularly because of Jesus. The gospel establishes readiness that equips us to navigate treacherous terrain with a firm grip on peace.
True restoration is something comfort can’t author. Sometimes In order to enjoy the peaks, we have to do some climbing. But He will restore every single day what our heart needs to thrive in the work he has given us to do. He is without limit, and he lavishes us with his love.
Rollercoasters and floods can prove disorienting. But there are things that can orient our hearts and speak truth when we don’t have eyes to see it.
With one word, he declared the gospel, comforted our restless hearts, and silenced the threat of death. With one word he defeated our fears of inadequacy, of never being enough, of hopelessness and of eternal separation. He ushered in life and offered freedom. As he was dying, he knew exactly what he was doing and exactly what he was saying.
It’s a truth I hope to cultivate in my daughter as she grows into a woman who will eventually be prompted to evaluate what she sees. She will eventually order her loves in such a way that what she believes is lovely will be the backdrop to the way she evaluates beauty.
I was quiet, so my kids were quiet. My voice was not loud, so when I said something my kids were looking at my face with rapt attention. Quiet does not mean unclear. We can listen and look intently into the face of the one who loves us too.
Shaping loves isn’t always fancy. It can take lots of raw, unimpressive moments that cumulatively do foundational work.
When 72 years of marriage “sure did fly by,” you know this life is quick. So within this love story is a prompt. What story do you tell?
Evidence compels, but evidence can only go so far. To know the one who formed you… it’s something more altogether.