Because I'm His

The amazing thing about scripture, and proof that it is truly living and active, is how you can read things over and over again and continue to be inspired in different ways. Or, to one day read something and have it hit you between the eyes. And, my favorite thing is how you read about a verse in some other book (or someone quotes it) and you go, "Nah, that can't be in there," yet there it is, in black and white.

I had an epiphany about scripture the other night, while in the shower. I usually become inspired there, or at 2:00 a.m., or whenever I'm without paper and pen to jot down notes. So, I quickly ran downstairs to scribble out some thoughts. Hopefully, this will translate into some coherent encouragement.

My mother called me Tuesday morning, fearfully explaining that she was seeing some flashers in her eyes and the doctor wanted her to come to the hospital so he could check them. Since her eyes were being dilated, she would need me to take her to and fro, and she'd need to hang out at our house for a while. That was fine with me, since I try all the time to get her to visit for longer than 15 minutes. Still, she fell all over herself apologizing about taking up my time.

When it was time for her to leave, she said, "I really don't know what I'd do without you. I'm sorry I'm such a bother. I need to find a way to repay you."

Of course, I told her I didn't mind, that repaying me was not necessary, etc., but she kept going on and on about it.

I was thinking about this while getting ready for bed, and it hit me--so simple and obvious, but it seemed so powerful to me. I didn't want, or expect, any repayment for what I did. I help my mom because of who she is--she's my mom.

The minute this thought went through my head, I realized it is the epitome of God's love for me. I know that seems so simple, but it is hard to separate our value from our performance. Because other people tend to love us when we please them, and we love others when they please us, we think God is the same way. But that is far from the truth. Look at what God says about His chosen people, Israel, when they were preparing to enter the Promised Land:

"The LORD did not set His love on you nor choose you because you were more in number than any of the peoples, for you were the fewest of all peoples, but because the LORD loved you..." (Deuteronomy 7:7-8a, NASB, emphasis mine).

Even Israel, God's chosen people, were not loved more than you or I are loved. They were not chosen because they were better or stronger, etc. They were chosen because God loved them. And that's the same reason we are chosen--He loves us! We can't do anything great enough to make Him love us more, and we can't do anything bad enough to make Him love us less. His love is perfect and complete. The only thing we have to "do" is to receive it. For performance-driven people, that is probably the hardest thing to do.

So, one of my spiritual goals for now is to rest in the knowledge that God loves me completely and I can't mess that up.

That's really exciting, if you think about it.