Sometimes I feel like one of the most dense humans on the planet, because I seem to need to relearn things over and over and over. Or maybe it's just that I have known things in my head for a long time, but the facts haven't traveled to my heart because my head hasn't fully accepted them yet. Either way, I am glad the Lord is so patient, because if I were him, I'd probably be pulling my hair out over me by now!
I am also glad that I am "relearning" these things. I'll share a brief overview of the truths that I have known forever, but have recently come to understand a bit deeper in my heart, in a way that I can apply to myself:
1. God and Jesus love me no matter what. I started understanding what this means when I thought about my favorite person, the one I love most unconditionally. I thought about how I feel toward them despite all their flaws and shortcomings, what I want for them, how I would treat them in the face of them doing something wrong or disappointing, etc... and I came to the conclusion that if I can feel so tenderly toward somebody, and if God tells me to always forgive and always love and always treat well, then he certainly does nothing less for me. (I recommend doing the same mental exercise of thinking about somebody you just absolutely adore, and preferably know very well - it might open your eyes, too, if you have been in the same boat as I have)
2. Relationship is the most important thing to God. That's why he made humans and why he sent Jesus.
3. But relationship with God is only fully experienced through obedience to him. That way there is not only no guilt in blocking the way between me and God, but I can also be assured that when I obey, I am much more safe and protected. God can only do so much for me, for example, when I decide to go against him and get in a fist fight with someone who has made me angry. Additionally, when we obey, God's goodness is showcased to the world in an extremely powerful way because it so confounds and confuses the ways of the enemy.
4. I don't need to be perfect! I can't be perfect! The Lord does not EXPECT me to be perfect! And, I will NEVER BE PERFECT! And! That is OK! Good gracious. Needless to say, I'll be relearning this one again next month.
Anybody learning anything out there? What a privilege to be able to encourage each other in all of our learning about our marvelous Lord Jesus and our Father God :)
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