Be Still & Know His Crazy Love

 Waking up today, I was reminded that today is the day we remember the greatest gift of love that has ever been given -

For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.  John 3:16

 This is something that many of us have heard and have been taught our entire lives and we know full well what this truly means...how much God loves us...that He gave His one and only Son to die so that we could spend eternity with Him...that Christ loves us so much that He willingly and quietly laid down His life for us...

In Francis Chan's book, Crazy Love, he says - 

"Have you ever wondered if we're missing it?  It's crazy, if you think about it.  The God of the universe - the Creator of nitrogen and pine needles, galaxies and E-minor - loves us with a radical, unconditional, self-sacrificing love.  And what is our typical response?  We go to church, sing songs, and try not to cuss."

These are things we definitely know...BUT...do you really get it-is it at the core of who you are?   Because I think that if we truly get this in our heart of hearts, there is no way we can continue with our lives the way we tend to live; caught up in our schedules, jobs, church, our things, etc.   If we really & truly get this, it has to humble us to a point that we can barely speak; it has to overwhelm us with love & gratitude in such a way that it will be obvious to those around us that we are different.  Not because of who we are or what a great person we are, but that we are so loved and overwhelmed by the Almighty Creator that we just are different.

Of course, we are still human and will still make mistakes, but if true understanding of this is who we are to the core, don't you think it would show to those around us?   Don't you think it would mean we would all be spending time in His Word, trying to understand even more of who He is and how He works in us and around us?  Don't you think our choices & actions would be different throughout the day if this was who we are at the core?

As I'm writing this, I'm reminded again of the depth of His love for me - love that I deserve to have no part of....and yet He still chooses to love me.   Today my act of worship is to share that love with everyone I can - to be sure they know how much He loves them (starting with reminding my family).

Luke 23:44-46 says -  It was now about noon, and darkness came over the whole land until three in the afternoon,  for the sun stopped shining. And the curtain of the temple was torn in two.  Jesus called out with a loud voice, “Father, into your hands I commit my spirit.” When he had said this, he breathed his last.

Live today knowing to your core how much your Creator loves you & let those around you see His love in you.   Take a few minutes today and tomorrow to read the story of His crucifixion, watch the Passion...do something that reminds you of the extent of His love...then get lost in His love - just a few minutes to remember something so overwhelming.  As Francis Chan says "...when you're wildly in love with someone, it changes everything."