You. Are. Loved!

I love springtime, but I also have fallen in love with fall! Cooler but pleasant temperatures. Leaves changing colors.  The time of year for apples and pumpkins. Hayrides, and fun activities with family and friends.

This year I have been blessed to enjoy several activities with my family and friends including a mountain trip with my family. During our mountain trip, I was doing a Bible study by Jen Hatmaker called The 7 Experiment. At that particular time she was focusing on waste and creation care. She had us read the verses of Job 38-41.

In the days that have followed, I have thought much about what God said in those passages and other passages that deal with creation. I have always known that all things were created for the glory of God. For me, I look at creation and thank God for His hand in creating such beauty and for His design. I look at creation and it points me to the Creator, which I know glorifies God. But, what I so often have failed to see is God's love and care for His creation. I know that God is sovereign and over all things. He is all powerful and all knowing. But, I fail to recognize His love and care over the intricate details in nature and how it impacts my life.

In reading the verses of Job 38-41 I was struck with the detail that God used in describing His control over creation and how intricately He is acquainted with every detail in the life of His creation. Job 38:39- 39:2 says, "Do you hunt the prey for the lioness and satisfy the hunger of the lions when they crouch in their dens or lie in wait in a thicket? Who provides food for the raven when its young cry out to God and wander about for lack of food? Do you know when the mountain goats give birth? Do you watch when the doe bears her fawn? Do you count the months till they bear? Do you know the time they give birth?"There are such vivid descriptions throughout the whole passage- How God must love His creation and gain much pleasure in it!

And, if God loves His creation, how He must love man who was created in His own image (Gen. 2:26-27). As my thoughts went deeper, verses come to mind of God's love for us and how intricately He is acquainted with us. Matthew 10:29-31 says, "Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? Yet not one of them will fall to the ground apart from the will of your Father. And even the very hairs of your head are all numbered. So don't be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows." The hairs of your head are numbered... And Matthew 6:28-30 says, "And why do you worry about clothes? See how the lilies of the field grow. They do not labor or spin. Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of theses. If that is how God clothes the grass of the fields which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, will he not much more clothe you, O you of little faith." We are told that if God loves and cares for sparrows and grass/ lilies of the field, how much more He loves and cares for us who were made in the very likeness of Him.

It is quite amazing and humbling to think that the very God who created all that surrounds me, the mighty trees and mountains, vast oceans, galaxies, animals-

the leaves that change colors

apple trees that bear fruit, 

plants that produce gorgeous flower-

That God- loves and cares about me! Friends, yes, hard times come, life can be hard, but no matter what season of life you are in- You. Are. Loved. by a most gracious God who is concerned about YOU. A God who loved you so much He sent His Son to die so that you and I can live eternally with Him (John 3:16). 

I encourage you, that as you enjoy this beautiful fall, as you gaze at the beauty around you, remember that the God who is in control of every detail in nature is concerned with every detail in your life. 

"Oh, how He loves us" Yes, Oh, how He love us.

Friends, You. Are. Loved!

Perspective

The words and phrases swirl around in my mind- "perspective", "God is sovereign- trust Him", "give thanks always", This is for my good", "love", "in acceptance lieth peace"- these, just to name a few, have served as reminders for me. The past 3 months of my life have been a bit crazy, but maybe that's just how life is sometimes. We embark on this journey with its twist and turns, but as Christians, God is by our side leading and teaching us along the way. From a month of my husband trying to decide between 2 different jobs to that stupid "C" word that I hate so much rearing its head in my family( praise God it was only a minor skin cancer ordeal that my husband has healed from after 2 procedures) to stepping away from a church that I have loved for the past 10 years- faith in Jesus Christ has been vital.

One thing I have learned in life is that we don't always have the answers. We don't always know why things happen, but we do have promises made to us by God who is sovereign and who does know all things. And, I have learned that when life seems upside down, holding onto God's promises and giving thanks in the midst of trials gets us through.

One promise that serves as a life verse for me is Romans 8:28, "And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love Him, who have been called according to His purpose." This doesn't tell us that life will always be easy, but it does tell us that God is using the circumstances to grow us up in Him- to make us who He would have us be- to prepare us for what He has for us. My New Geneva Study Bible has a note for this verse that says, "God's providence rules in such a way as to ensure everything that happens to us is working for our ultimate good." For me, there is encouragement in that. 

There is also great hope in knowing that my God is always with me. Joshua 1:9 says, "Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go." I am not alone.

How great it is to know that we are loved and cared for also! Loved with an everlasting love. Both Ephesians 2:4-5 and John 3:16 talk of God's love for us in sending His son to make us alive in Him. "How Great the Father's love for us!"

The promises found in God's Word have brought much encouragement in my life over the past couple of months. That doesn't mean that I always responded in the right way. Yes, I have struggled, I have questioned, I have been angry, and I have shed many, many tears. And yes, my blog has been silent for the past 2 months because emotions were too raw to write for public eyes. As I sought counsel from my mom recently, 2 things stuck out. One was perspective. God has blessed my life richly. Was I allowing hiccups in the road to challenge my perspective? Yes. Leaving my church has been huge for me and not feeling "a part" of one right now has been extremely difficult. BUT, I have a loving Heavenly Father, I have wonderful Christian friends, I have a wonderful family, I am NOT persecuted for my faith, my God WILL answer prayer and show us where He wants us to be IN HIS TIME. So, yes, perspective is key in viewing your circumstances. 

The other thing she said to me was a quote from a poem by Amy Carmichael, "For in acceptance lieth peace." How true I have found that over the past couple of weeks. In accepting where I am right now, there is peace in being able to move forward and not holding to the past.

So when challenges come, we have choices. We can be crippled by what is happening or we can hold to God's promises and as hard and imperfect as it may be, give thanks in the midst of trouble. As I closed my journal entry a few weeks ago in my imperfect but making progress kind of way- "I struggle, I question, I sin- but HE is greater and I will trust HIM."