The sun is just beginning to rise, changing the color of the heavens above. The moon, not quite half but not quite crescent, hangs suspended in the midst. It was only minutes ago that the sky held no blue, but a vast black - the darkest black I've ever seen, yet shimmering with twinkles and sparkles that, if I stare hard enough, are sometimes white, sometimes reddish, but always twinkling.
The God who loves me created this vast kaleidescope above me. He created the earth on which I stand, the grass that carpets it, and the flowers and trees that decorate it. He created it all with amazing complexity - interactive, interdependent, and ever-changing.
The God who loves me put birds to flight and plants to bud. The God who loves me created me to be who He wants me to be. He made to look like I do, talk like I do and think like I do.
The God who loves me, who made all creation and breathed life into it, loves me deeply. He is my Father, my salvation, my redeemer, my healer, my restorer, my guide. He prefers me over all, and loves me most of all His creation. He blesses me richly.
All the God who loves me asks is that I believe in Him. He wants me to trust - completely - in Him. He wants me to love Him, and come to Him. He doesn't expect me to understand everything. He wants me to lean on Him - and Him alone.
When trouble comes, it's easy to rivet in on that trouble. The God who loves me never said, "Fix it." He said, "Come to me, all who are heavy burdened, and I will give you rest." The God who loves me never said, "Figure it out". He said, "Trust in Me with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding."
The God who loves me is vast beyond words or comprehension. When I look around, I see Him in all His creation. In comparison, when I look at my troubles - no matter how huge and overwhelming they may appear to me - He is far greater. He is far bigger. He is capable, able and willing to take care of them all. The God who loves me cares for me, and expects me to not worry about a thing. He expects me to cast away my fear, because He is my strength.
I will rest completely in the love of the God who loves me. What I feel doesn't matter. What I see is unimportant. It's what the God who loves me is doing that matters. Although I don't always see or sense Him working, I know He is. If progress seems slow, it's because I'm measuring life by my timetable, not my Father's.
The God who loves me sent His son Jesus to die a shameful, criminal's death on the cross so that I could have life, abundant and eternal. The God who loves me did all He ever did for me, because He loves me just that much. Who am I to ever worry about a thing? Who am I to ever doubt? Who am I to ever think I can figure life out?
As I gaze back out the window again, the sky has filled out with blue. The moon is still suspended behind the branches of the budding tree. God is saying, "Good morning, my child. Here is another day for you to enjoy. Why don't you spend it with me?"
I believe I will.
(c) 2003 by Chris & Jennie Courtney. All rights reserved.
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