This is real love – not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent
His Son as a sacrifice to take away our sins. 1 John 4:10
I read a devotional by Charles Spurgeon this morning about the thread of God’s love shown to us throughout the pages of Scripture. From Genesis 1:1 to Revelation 22:21, God displays His unending and never-changing love. What Spurgeon pointed out is how this incredible love is woven through each one of our lives as well.
You watched me as I was being formed in utter seclusion, as I was woven together in the dark of the womb. Psalm 139:15
You saw me before I was born. Every day of my life was recorded in Your book. Every moment was laid out before a single day had passed. Psalm 139:16
Before I came into being, God was manifesting His love in me. His thread of love began before I began. Even before He stepped into time at Creation, He began this sewing project and He has not completed it. I’m not sure if you have heard of the scarlet thread of the Bible, but I believe this is it – His love strung throughout the Old Testament and New.
Why did this strike me so much this morning? Maybe it has something to do with the unwelcome news I got from Coach on Wednesday. He wanted to know about my anesthesia testing because he would like to see me getting vivecaine injected into my feet to calm down the nerves. Sounds simple and straight forward. Nerves are screaming, so block them so they can reset.
UPSIDE DOWN TREE ROOT PAIN
I did not know I was at this point in my journey – nerve pain. When I hear about this I cringe and have visions of pain clinics, unending cycle of drug management and no end in sight. I may be grossly misinformed, but that’s my thoughts. When I had looked into it before, this was what was offered to me. I walked away.
NOTE: I am not here to judge anyone who uses pain management clinics at all. I do understand that many find relief. It is my own perception and by no means am I a doctor.
Throughout my long and illustrious career in suffering, I have not felt that God wanted me to go this route. In fact, quite the opposite. I was to feel the affliction so I would depend upon God every moment of the day. I’m not a martyr, far from it. It’s just the call God had for me, and I accepted it. Not easy, in fact, painful, but I am confident that He who began a good work in me will complete it (Philippians 1:6) and this good work included unmedicated pain.
So, when Coach suggested it was time to treat the nerves I clamped up. Yes, I heard him out; yes, I am still bristling; no, I do not want to go there.
But then I read about God’s love for me.
How precious are Your thoughts about me, O God. They cannot
be numbered. Psalm 139:17
His thoughts are filled to overflowing with love for me – me, a sinner saved by grace. Me, a brat in so many ways. Me, a little girl just trying to please my heavenly Father with every fiber of my being.
His love rescued me from a life of sin. His love gave me His promised Holy Spirit. His love gave my life new meaning. His love is sanctifying me and has captivated me to only long for His approval and pleasure. His love motivates me to die to self and serve Him and others. And too, it is His love that has allowed me to have suffering be a part of my life.
Ouch.
As you can see, I am still processing this information and I am still trying to put it in the right perspective. I have to remind myself that it is His love that is woven in my life every. single. day.
LISTEN TO TRUTH, FOLKS
For some reason I bought into the lie that people who please God do not suffer. Folks, this is a lie from the pit. Straight from the pit with no pit stops. While it is true that the Old Testament speaks of His blessings on those He loves, this side of the Cross it is a privilege to share in Christ’s suffering.
I’m trying to understand that privilege.
Dear friends, don’t be surprised at the fiery trials you are going through, as if something strange were happening to you. Instead, be very glad – for these trials make you partners with Christ in His suffering, so that you will have the wonderful joy of seeing His glory when it is revealed to all the world.
If you are insulted because you bear the name of Christ, you will be blessed, for the glorious Spirit of God rests upon you. If you suffer, however, it must not be for murder, stealing, making trouble, or prying into other people’s affairs. But it is no shame to suffer for being a Christian. Praise God for the privilege of being called by His name.
1 Peter 4:12-16
I cannot put it in better words, so I won’t attempt it. I did write a devotional last night working through our position in Christ. A literal place we sit - Deuteronomy 33:12 states that as beloved of the LORD, we rest between His shoulders.
I think in word pictures. And this verse conjures up a beautiful picture of a beloved resting on Jesus’s shoulders – where one can smell His smell. Where His hair brushes against the tear-stained cheek. Where the heartbeat of the Saviour is felt and heard. Where His very breath is in rhythm with ours. A place of deep comfort, love and security. A place of identity and belonging. A place of exchange - beauty for ashes. A place where His power and strength become mine.
Yes, indeed, a thread of love is woven for us – God’s love has a Name. His name is Jesus.
PRAYER
Abba Daddy. You are LOVE. Before time, You are LOVE and You created creation in love and we are part of that creation. It is almost too much to consider. May I ponder anew what the Almighty can do. Your incredible thread of love strung throughout time and into the future and beyond. At times this is unfathomable, but I worship You Father for Your LOVE - Your Son Jesus. He is for me, He is with Me and He is mine. AMEN
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