When Julia and I were dating we used to play a silly game in which she would ask me how much I loved her. After the question was asked it was my job to come up with an answer which would both dazzle and amaze her. For example one night she asked, "How much do you you love me" to which I responded, "I love you more than all the grains of sand on all of the beaches in the world." Once she asked, "How much do you love me" to which I responded, "I love you more than a fat kid loves cake." (I know, I'm quite a romantic). We played this game all throughout our courtship, engagement, and even now we play it as a married couple. The game is fun because it helps me to express my love for my wife in new and exciting ways.
Today, I have been thinking a lot about love. My love for my wife and in turn God's love for me. I imagined today about the possibility of playing the "How much do you love me" game with God. I believe the conversation would go something like this. I would ask, "God, how much do you love me?" To which God would look at me and say, "I love you so much that I crushed my Son under the full fury of my righteous wrath for you. In the Garden of Gethsemane, my Son cried out for this bitter cup to pass from him. And I remained silent. Why? Because I love you that much. And when my Son uttered that shriek on the cross, unlike any other protest in all of history, "My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?" I again remained silent. Why? To convince you that I love you. Behold the supreme demonstration of my love-the cross-the death of my Son. What more can I say? What else do you require to be convinced of my love for you?"
Remember, wherever you are, whatever your circumstance God loves you. Today, ponder this truth-it was the Father's love-his love for sinners who richly deserved his righteous wrath-that moved Him to sacrifice His only Son as our substitute.
that's amazing.
ReplyDelete