Greetings
As I write I’m suspended in the clouds, marveling at the splendor of God’s creation on this first day of the year. I am basking in the afterglow of God’s love poured out in me and below me. I’m thinking about you all and praying that you all are feeling the Love. That being said, here’s today’s Holy Nougat
“But each day the Lord pours his unfailing love upon me, and through each night I sing his songs, praying to God who gives me life.” Psalms 42:8 NLT
Sometimes despite what the Word says, despite what the preacher says or even the testimony of the saints; sometimes in spite of our own personal experience of God’s love, our psyche fails to grasp the Truth. Life happens (or doesn’t happen the way we planned), and we allow ourselves to become convinced that God’s ‘failure to do/fix life’ for us as we have prayed means God no longer loves us. But there’s more to Love than mere meeting of needs, right? And more to God than we can ever fathom.
So what if this New Year’s Day we feel a bit estranged? What if we don’t feel the Love? What if after the whirlwind of 2018 – for better or for worse – we find ourselves ourselves unclear about the Love? What if we feel unworthy of God’s Love? What then?
I invite us to tally all the reasons why we’re unlovable; and critically examine them against the cold evidence of God’s love which we often take for granted or treat like duty. Life, functional organs, health, food, clothing, and shelter, family and friends. I suspect that many of us can’t tick all those things; yet we’re still here meaning the world of joy to even one person.
Moreover we consider the Creation and the first Creation story – God put everything in place to meet our needs before we were created. And that principle still applies right now, even when it seems otherwise. Not necessarily the way we expected; but definitely as needed. And let’s remember the precious gift of forgiveness!
In recognition of the loving blessings we count them and sing praises. We magnify our God Who’s blessed us with life. We determine to live more intentionally in praise; to resurrect an altitude where gratitude and Love flies above ‘stuff’. And, when repeated often enough, the gloom gives way to joy, and takes us to the place where we can Live again, Laugh again, Love and receive Love anew.
Blessed 2019 to you
In Christ’s love and grace . . .
