Sept. of 1990, was a pretty exciting month for me. I was just starting into another year of college, playing soccer and trying hard to focus on my studies. I say trying because I was distracted. The bug that gets people bit me real good. The summer before I went back to college that year, I met a sweet girl named Jen. It's a good thing that I was a “College guy” cause she was way out of my league.
So back to college. We had what they called “Fall break”. The problem was since I was on the college soccer team I couldn't go home for break because we had a game scheduled. For a lovesick guy—this wasn't good. I made a decision to not go to my game, and drive home 18hrs, to spend a few days with my love. After I came back to college, my coach would not play me for a couple games, but it was worth it and I would do it all over again.
I really like and recommend the book Crazy Love by Francis Chan. One of the chapters talks about “When you're in Love”. When you are in love, it changes everything. You act different, look at life different, and even become someone new. I'm sure that you have stories like the one I shared above. Times when you were so in love, that you did crazy things. Would you drive 18 hrs to see someone for a couple days and then turn around and drive back 18hrs? You bet you would.
Now what about God? Love should change the way we approach God. Instead of feeling like we are “suppose” to or “have” to, love changes it to we “Get” to. You and I actually “Get” to have a close, intimate relationship with God!!! The way to feel like you “get” to be close to God is by falling in love with Him. Developing your love of God will change your approach to Him.
No doubt you know that God loves you. But do you find yourself still trying to do things to please Him? Thankfully God's love is not dependent on our achievements, or none of us would stand. Do you know, really know, that God loves you where you are at right now? (Read that question again!) So many people have trouble getting past the nagging feeling that they need to somehow pay God back for what He has given them. What does the Word say about this? (Rom 5:8) “But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.”
While we were STILL SINNERS! Do you find yourself bound by rules, or do you live in the freedom of His Grace? Live free today!
Be blessed,
Pastor Ray
