"For I am persuaded that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, nor height nor depth, nor any other created thing will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord." ~Romans 8:38-39
The concept of “living loved” was one I first heard shared by Sarah Clarkson at a conference on friendship years ago, and one which has stuck with me ever since.
Why is it so important to know and meditate on the depth of God’s love for us?
Because when we don’t, we become desperate for human love in an unhealthy way.
We end up with what Henri Nouwen refers to as “messianic expectations” of others - we look to people rather than to God to meet our deepest needs and fulfill our innermost desires.
We become people-pleasers doing anything we can to earn the approval of others.
We make unwise life choices.
We become easily hurt, angry, hurtful, and defensive.
We become stunted in our walk with Christ and lacking in our growth in Christian maturity.
We become a prime target for Satan.
We open ourselves up to legalistic teachings.
We misrepresent God.
And the list goes on and on.
If there is one single-most important life-change I would encourage you to make this year, a change which would positively impact every single other area of your life, it would be this: meditate on and memorize Romans 8 and then go out there and live loved.
Reflection Questions:
1) Do you believe God loves you?
2) How does that belief change your life and how you live?
3) How could you spend some extra time today meditating on God's deep love for you?
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