True Love

“True love stories never have endings”

Richard Bach

Valentine’s Day, a day in Australia where shop owners go crazy changing their window displays to invite thoughts of love.  They madly stock the shelves with a variety of gifts which often involve an abundance of heart shaped objects, flowers and over the top “mushy” cards in the hope there will be a rush of customers all wanting to shower presents on their beloved ones. It’s one of the biggest days of the year for florists and more often than not there is a wedding or two.  It is a day that at times seems to scream “couples” and “romance”.

While I think that the idea of Valentine’s Day is a combination of “sweet” and “commercial” I prefer the way it is celebrated in Antigua Guatemala.  In Antigua it is known as El Dí­a del Cariño, most closely translated as “The Day of Affection”.  It is the day where the people of Antigua show appreciation to those around them - neighbours, co-workers, friends, family, spouses and such.  What a beautiful sentiment.

On Valentine’s Day this year, I was asked to give the Communion message at Church.  Originally I giggled at the thought that I, a single mum, was to give a message on “the day of love” for couples. But then I paused to think of the one who loves me more than anyone could.  Below I share with you my Communion message:-

“Valentine’s Day, brings a myriad of emotions to a variety of people both negative and positive.  Love lost, new love, a parent’s love, heartache of unrequited love, yearning for love or just beginning to understand love - there are so many emotions brought up on this day every year.

For me though, it is a beautiful thing being able to share in communion on Valentine’s Day because in partaking in communion we are remembering and celebrating the ultimate act of love from the only being who loves each and every one of us with a pure relentless eternal love, our Heavenly Father.

“For God so loved the world that he gave his only son so that anyone who would believe in him would not perish but have eternal life”. John 3:16

That precious sacrifice, the aching separation of a father and son when Jesus bore our sins as He stretched out his arms and died on the cross.  And the magnificent jubilation in heaven resonating for all eternity when He rose again.  A journey full of the most extreme of emotions all given and acted upon out of love, so that we may have an eternal relationship with God.

So as we take the bread and remember Christ’s body broken for us, as we drink the juice and remember His blood that was shed for us, I encourage you to meditate on the fact that He loves you with a pure, relentless, unconditional true love to a depth that we will never experience from anyone or anything else in our lifetime.”

Have you experienced this love?  Have you truly realised the depth of the love your Heavenly Father has for you?  If not I encourage you to open up the Bible and spend some time studying it.  The Bible is full of verses which are testament of His love for you.

             

For those of you who have experienced God's love and do know how deeply loved you are, I encourage you to share in the comments below your favourite Bible verses that helped you to understand the depth of that love.  I would also love to hear why the verses you have chosen to share resonate with you.

                                                                                                                                 

References:       Holy Bible: New International Version. (2011). Grand Rapids, Mich.: Zondervan

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Waiting Well

 “I wait for the Lord, my soul waits and in his word I put my hope.  My soul waits for the Lord more than watchmen wait for the morning.” 

Psalm 130:5 – 6a

Sometimes I find waiting extremely difficult.  In fact I don’t recall ever meeting a person who enjoyed waiting.  Whether the waiting is for something exciting or potentially life changing in a negative way, either way, it’s during these moments that time seems to slow down.  Every second feels like forever and every tick of the clock is as loud as the sound of banging a hammer. 

While I find waiting difficult (most of the time) in this current season I have discovered that waiting can be a joy no matter what the circumstance.  How do I know this?  Because more often than not waiting is not the problem, it’s what we do while we are waiting that’s the make or break of the situation.

I have found that one of the biggest hindrances when waiting is our patience (or lack thereof) as well as that inner voice that questions everything, you know the one....

Why is it taking so long? Why aren’t there more people manning the counters? Why can’t my child get ready quickly?  Why can’t my life be like her life? When will I get to sing from the platform? When will it be my turn to preach? When will people see the value in me?

When waiting we tend to build up layer upon layer of “why’s”, “where’s” and “when’s” feeding our impatience rather than developing the ability to patiently wait upon the Lord.

When waiting is a struggle, how do we ensure that we are waiting on the Lord and resting in Him as we wait? One of the best things to do is declare God’s truths over each situation.  Seek God, ask Him to guide you to Bible verses that he wants to speak into each situation. By spending time doing this we will ensure there is less room for our frustrations and impatience to rise up to the surface.  More importantly, this leaves no room for the enemy to speak into any insecurities or fears we may have.  Some verses which I have spoken over situations in the past are:-

• If you are waiting to hear about whether you still have a job:“And my God will meet all your needs according to his glorious riches in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:19

•   If you are waiting to see if you have enough money to pay the bills:“So do not worry, saying ‘What shall we eat?” or “What shall we wear” For the pagans run after all these things and your heavenly Father knows that you need them.  But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness and all these things will be given to you as well.” Matthew 6:31 – 33

•   If you are waiting for reconciliation/resolution:“Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins…….If anyone speaks, he should do it as one speaking the very words of God.  If anyone serves, he should do it with the strength God provides, so that in all things God may be praised through Jesus Christ.  To him be the glory and the power for ever and ever. Amen.” 1 Peter 4:8 -9; 11

Every situation you find yourself in has a verse that you can use to speak life into that situation and each one of God’s truths combats the enemy’s lies.

Waiting well means learning to refocus by resting in the knowledge that “God has got this”, He is in control, His timing is perfect and He knows what’s best for us – he uses everything to draw us closer to him. So instead of seeing waiting as a negative thing, how about we use it as the “prime time” to dig deeper in his word – spend more time in prayer, learn more about where God is going to take you.  Be still and listen.

This week I encourage you to spend time in God’s word seeking verses to declare over whatever you are going through.  Feel free to expand on this blog by sharing some verses you have declared during the week in the comments below – I would love to see where God is speaking into your life.

                                                                                                                                                                

References:       Holy Bible: New International Version. (2011). Grand Rapids, Mich.: Zondervan

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