Dear friends, let us love one another, for love comes from God. Everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God. Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love. This is how God showed his love among us: He sent his one and only Son into the world that we might live through him. This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins. Dear friends, since God so loved us, we also ought to love one another. No one has ever seen God; but if we love one another, God lives in us and his love is made complete in us. (1 John 4:7-12)
I have been working from home for a month. I have watched the world turn upside down. I have been struggling with this new normal. I’m exhausted. I’m stressed. I’m angry. I’m scared.
I know I’m not alone in this emotional roller coaster.
For a while I was struggling to pray – I found no easy way to connect to God as I wrestled with my thoughts and feelings.
One morning I sat on the couch and closed my eyes. I imagined that Jesus was sitting next to me and began to pour everything out. Picturing Him there by my side opened up my ability to talk to God and also feel like He was right there listening to me.
Don’t get me wrong, I know God listens. I know He hears me when I pray. But imagining Jesus by my side helped me feel a true connection to Him. I felt comforted by knowing He was with me.
I’ve tried to hold on to that every moment of every day.
Can you picture it too? Can you close your eyes right now and feel God’s presence by your side?
This wasn’t what I meant to write about today. I had a post already written in my mind – I usually do. But when I started typing this morning, I felt God calling me to remind every one of you that He is here. He is with you now. He is holding you – He is holding ALL of us in His arms.
This post is about God’s love.
This is how God showed his love among us: He sent his one and only Son into the world that we might live through him.
I wanted to write today about how we should love each other. We should turn the other cheek when we are hurt. We should stop attacking each other and feeding into the fear that is rocking through the world right now. I’m amazed at how ugly people have gotten in the United States right now – it doesn’t matter what side of the political divide you are on. We are ugly. We are not reflecting God’s love with each other. Our fear and dismay have taken over.
My wish for each and every one of you is that you feel God around you and that you immerse yourself in God’s love. He is here, my friends. He loves you. He wants you to know peace and contentment that is only possible through His grace. We will get through this. One day we will hug each other again. One day we will tell stories of this time. The only question is, how will you remember this? Will you tell the children that this time brought you closer to God or will you tell them you allowed fear to overtake you?
God is here. God is all around you. Trust in God and do your best to reflect that love back on the world.
Heavenly Father, thank you for reminding me that you are here by my side. Thank you for your love and mercy. Thank you for holding me in your arms when I am afraid and full of doubt. I know that I can turn to you at any moment and let myself be surrounded in your unfathomable love. You are great. You are merciful. You are love. Amen.