I want you to know that no matter what you are dealing with… it’s ok.  I want you to know that there is nothing you can do to make God love you less.  There have been times where my daughter has done something that she knows she should not have done… and we both understand what’s coming next… discipline.  In our house, we don’t yell or scream and certainly don’t condemn anyone.  Yes we get frustrated, and no I don’t like discipline… but it must be done.

I always keep in mind that it’s not the person of my little girl that I am frustrated with… it’s the behavior.  All of our corrections are done because we love her so much that I want her to be the best version of herself that she can be.  I realize that I am shaping her into what she will be when she becomes a grown up.  She doesn’t get into big trouble very often… she’s a good girl… but she’s still a child.  She doesn’t know enough about life and the world to make good decisions every time (that’s our job to help her).

Without fail… I will talk to her about her “trouble”.  And I always let her know that there is nothing that she can do to make me love her less.  No amount of trouble or behavior can make me love her less.  Sure I am disappointed in her behavior… but not her as a person.  How can I cast her away for one mistake or two mistakes or 1000 mistakes?

GOD… is like this.

The model I follow is the picture that we see of God all through the Bible.  His story is built around the love that He has for His people.  They stray, they wander, they walk away, they disobey, and He takes them back.  He loves them.  God loves his children, but he often gets angry with their behavior.

I’ve heard the question asked… why is God so mean in the Old Testament?  I’ll throw this out for discussion.  Why do parents discipline their children?  They love them.  Guiding, teaching, and directing doesn’t often come in the shape of a pretty little box with a bow on it.

Where are you?  What have you done with your life?  What mess have you gotten yourself into?  Are you buried in trouble?  I want you to know… there is nothing you can do to make God love you less.  Hear me.  There is NOTHING you can do to make God love you less.  Sure… whatever you’ve done may have consequences that you must endure.  Learn from your mistakes.  But know that God loves you the person… He may not be all that enchanted with your behavior… but He loves you like a father loves His daughter… but more.

As men of faith… you are going to stumble.  You are going to say and do things that aren’t very pretty… don’t get bogged down and certainly don’t press it down inside and live with guilt and shame.  And for Pete’s sake… don’t let your stumbling keep you from doing the work God has called you to.  You aren’t perfect.  God has forgiveness available.

My daughter knows when I’m not happy with her behavior… but I guarantee that she knows that no matter what… I love her.  I would sacrifice my life for her.  Coming to this knowledge… and reflecting that back into how God loves me… dwarfs me.  How can I not serve Him, believe in Him, and acknowledge Him before men?

May you know that God loves you deeply.  And that you understand that there is nothing you can do that will make God love you less.  You cannot outrun the arms of God.

Peace,
Greg
Acts 4:31
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