If I could stand outside of myself, watching me for a day, I think I would cry, laugh and wonder "Who does she think she is anyway?" When I stop to consider that this is God's vantage point and equally that He can see within me, I find His love to be a powerful force of change in me. I, being human, can get pretty turned off by me when I stop to really look at my truth. God is never turned off. In fact that simple reality makes His love complete all by itself.
I think there are two basic vantage points. Humanity's is judgement. God's is love. Humanity nearly always responds to life in judgement of right or wrong, good or bad, and comparison. Think about it. The last conflict in relationship that you experienced, who was right? Chances are you were. Who was wrong? Likewise the other person. In Christian circles we cloak this often as discernment. Then we bring God into the issue as if He agrees with our thinking.
God's vantage point is always love. It is a love that:
... compels.
... moves.
... responds for and toward the other person.
... serves.
... is humility in action.
... celebrates the other person and their accomplishments more than our own.
... is excited to see others succeed.
... limits our desires in order to help others.
... trusts.
... is secure and brings security to our souls, minds and even our bodies.
... and it is a love the disciplines for our good.
Today is an opportunity for another chance to learn how to love. It is equally another opportunity to learn how to receive love; to learn how to live life loved.
Please read these words from Jesus slowly. Let them soak into your heart.
John 7:37 "If anyone is thirsty let him come to me and drink."
John 8:12 "I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life."
John 14:1 "Do not let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God, trust also in me."
John 14:26 "Peace I leave with you, my peace I give to you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid."
John 15:4 "Remain in me. Make your home in me and I will make my home in you."
John 15:11 "I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and that you may have it to the full."
John 20:22 "Receive the Holy Spirit."
Here's your action. Receive. Let me say it again. This love is already yours. In order to experience it all you have to do is RECEIVE. Like we were all taught, after we receive a gift we simply respond with, "Thank You."
Today keep your eyes and ears open to God's love language that He wants to speak into you. Each time you experience His love, simply respond with "Thank you Papa. That was awesome!" Before you know it, you will be saying Thanks all day long.
Thanks Papa for the rain today. I know it is going to raise a harvest of beautiful spring flowers.
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