His Kind of Love

The LORD appeared to him from afar, saying, “I have loved you with an everlasting love, therefore I have drawn you with loving kindness.” Jeremiah 31:3 (New American Standard Bible)

The many facets of this verse continue to astound me. It was one of the first truths God used to revolutionize my Christian life four years ago. His love! A love that is not dependent on what I do. A love that is lasting. A love that is consistent and lavishly given. A love that is not easily understood because of its width, breadth, length, and depth. Just when I think I have accepted His love for me and am walking in that love, God steps in and shows me a new aspect that He is aware I have not begun to grasp.

It happened yesterday. I found myself wincing at an aspect of myself that I don’t like seeing is still a part of me. I am learning we all have things in our life we must confront and continually bring before God. Areas that make us cringe and we want desperately to be rid of. But I am learning that in the process of God’s transforming work He has multiple things to teach me through those very things. Admitting the truth about myself to myself and God took time. He had to unwrap the many layers of shame and condemnation that had cocooned me. I didn’t realize the “hiding” was a self-imposed prison. I had to learn that voicing the truth to Him would lead to a freedom to relax in His presence. Yet something was still amiss.

It was in the process of sharing with Him my continued dislike of this area in me that He was able to help me see an aspect of His love that had eluded me. It was a time for Him to say, “You wince at your weakness because you still have a wrong view of Me. You are failing to see my compassion and mercy for you in your fallen moments.” How well He knows our thoughts! The truth of the matter is that when I bring an issue to God, He is not standing there with His arms folded, a scowl on His face, and irritated disappointment. Instead, He is drawing me with cords of loving kindness and finding pleasure in the process. He is not a God who simply tolerates me. He is a God who loves me with an everlasting love even when I am undeserving of it. I marvel.

I offer these words of encouragement to any who fail to see this same aspect about God’s love. To any who cower or cringe in His presence. His heart is still that of the father who welcomed the prodigal home! He always rejoices at our drawing near to Him. Always!

Father, my view of You is being transformed continually. You are so gentle with my finiteness and imperfection. With You I am safe. With You I am loved. Amen.