Because of Love
As I write this it’s Good Friday. I’m seeing all kinds of posts on Facebook about it and the work that Jesus completed on the cross on this day. And while we celebrate it as “good,” it was anything but good to the One who experienced it. Jesus suffered for our sins. Not just this one, or that one, but ALL of them! He suffered for all the sins of all the people, past, present, and future. When I think of it in those terms it gets quite overwhelming.
But there’s so much more to the story than the death of Jesus on the cross. So much more! Because even though He did die on that cross 2,014 years ago, even though He was buried in a tomb and a stone rolled in front of the opening… HE GOT BACK UP THREE DAYS LATER AND STILL LIVES TODAY!!
When I think of what Jesus did in these terms, the story is so much more potent than thinking of Him dying a horribly painful death. Because He didn’t just do that…He did so much more! And the best thing of all is that you and I are invited, ushered, welcomed, and even included into this wonderful promise.
How then, does a person reject such a wonderful gift as the one Jesus gave to us? I wonder. Yet, I see it every day. But I can’t worry about that. Because while I see the negative things people post, I also see and feel the love that covers them.
And above all things have fervent love for one another, for “love will cover a multitude of sins. ~1 Peter 4:8
It is here that I interject that while watching and reading posts about Good Friday I was overwhelmed with a love that I cannot explain. Every person who posted, every person who responded, every situation that was being lifted up in prayer, I felt. Each and every instance was covered by this Love that was inexplainable. Yet, I knew exactly what it was and from where it came.
Love. It was because of Love that God created the world. It was because of Love that Jesus was born, died, and rose again. It is because of Love that He lives even now. And it’s because of Love that He will be returning soon.
It’s also because of Love that He has a purpose and plan for you. Yes, YOU! No matter what you’re going through right now, God has a purpose for you. It’s a wonderful plan and purpose and it was designed just with you in mind. So when you feel like there is no hope for you, switch your thinking. Because there is hope! No one and nothing can take that away from you because God chose you before you were ever born! You are you because of Love. You were chosen because of Love.
I tell people that no matter what you look like, no matter what your past, no matter what your present, God has a purpose for you. He has a beautiful plan for you. All you have to do is ask Him and then step into that beautiful life. Will everything be perfect then? No. Will you be rid of all your troubles? No. But you will have a better life and be able to handle those troubles better.
Is it worth it? Yes. Why? Because of Love.
