Wednesday, April 20, 2016

There’s nothing I can do.



Recently someone shared this simple phrase with me.  There is nothing I can do to make God love me more, and there is nothing I can do to make God love me less.” 

As she shared this, I could hear the relief in her voice, and I saw a content smile formed on her lips.  (…and no it wasn’t me looking in the mirror!) 

For those who struggle with being accepted, loved or mistakenly feel they actually play a part in earning the love of God—that phrase can bring an enormous amount of peace. 

·        God's love for you is not conditional on how many Bible verses you read or memorize.

·        His love doesn’t fade if you don’t meet your prayer quota for the day.

·        He is not checking off a “to-do-list” of things you must accomplish in any given day to be worthy of His love.

Nope—not happening. 

I love this passage of scripture in Hosea 11:1-9 (MSG).  God is crying out as a loving father to his rebellious son, Israel.  It brings tears to my eyes when I think of my Heavenly Father saying these words.  Even with all of Israel’s failures His love is evident. 

 “When Israel was only a child, I loved him.
    I called out, ‘My son!’—called him out of Egypt.
But when others called him,
    he ran off and left me.
He worshiped the popular sex gods,
    he played at religion with toy gods.

Still, I stuck with him. I led Ephraim.
    I rescued him from human bondage,
But he never acknowledged my help,
    never admitted that I was the one pulling his wagon,
That I lifted him, like a baby, to my cheek,
    that I bent down to feed him.
Now he wants to go back to Egypt or go over to Assyria—
    anything but return to me!...
My people are hell-bent on leaving me.
    They pray to god Baal for help.
    He doesn’t lift a finger to help them.

But how can I give up on you, Ephraim?
    How can I turn you loose, Israel?
How can I leave you to be ruined like Admah,
    devastated like luckless Zeboim?
I can’t bear to even think such thoughts.
    My insides churn in protest.
And so I’m not going to act on my anger.
    I’m not going to destroy Ephraim.
And why? Because I am God and not a human.
    I’m The Holy One and I’m here—in your very midst.

Have you ever struggled with the lie that you have to earn God’s love?  Read these highlights again.   

(Insert your name here.) I’m sticking with you.  I’ll rescue you.  When you were just a baby, I taught you to walk, lifted you to my cheek and fed you.  I can’t give you up or turn you loose.  I can’t leave you in ruins.  I’m not going to act on my anger.  I’m not going to destroy you.  I’m here.

Strive to be your best for the Lord, but always remember,  There is nothing I can do to make God love me more, and there is nothing I can do to make God love me less.” 






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