His Unconditional Love

"...to have and to hold from this day forward, for better, for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and to cherish, till death us do part, according to God's holy law, and this is my solemn vow."

Recognize these words? They are probably some of the most said phrases, being said in some form or fashion at nearly every wedding. Over this past weekend, I had the joy of attending my uncle's wedding. It was beautiful and I'm so happy for them!

However, as I sat there admiring the picturesque scene of two people pronouncing their love for one another, I had a thought.

When two people get married, they essentially pronounce their unconditional love to one another. Saying that, in their union, they will love each other no matter what happens, whether good or bad.

In Ephesians 5, Paul shares about the comparison of how a husband is to a wife as Christ is to the church. Here comes my thought... 

Something we struggle with as Christians is remembering that God loves us, every part of us. Even the parts about ourselves that we hate. God is not pleased with the bad parts of us, of course, but He knows the sinful state we are in and promises a way of deliverance.
If as humans we promise our spouse our unconditional love, then why do we struggle so much with the idea that Christ promises this too, especially when He promises it with heights and depths of infinity and eternity?

Romans 8: 37-39
"No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us.  For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord."

Personally, I have trouble understanding how God could love someone like me, a wretched sinner with nothing to offer besides mistakes, regrets and selfishness. But that is where the unconditional love kicks in and is most beautiful.

I think a lot of Christians out there need this reminder:
God does love you, all of you. Through better spiritual times, and worse spiritual times. Through when you're feeling spiritually rich and spiritually poor. Through spiritual sickness and health. NOT until death do us part, but in fact, especially in death, when we are reunited and made brand new. Instead of running away from our darkest parts because we have the assumption that Christ "can't handle them", we can know that God will meet us even in those dark places, be with us through them, and provide the way out.

Psalm 139: 11-12
"If I say, “Surely the darkness will hide me
   and the light become night around me,”
even the darkness will not be dark to you;
   the night will shine like the day,
   for darkness is as light to you. "

Note: I know wedding vows are not necessarily biblical, but I think the general idea presented can be considered truth.

So there's this guy..

Photo credit belongs to Holly Lueers. :)

I have a secret. :)

There's this guy in my life. -blushes-

He's amazing. 

I can't even begin to describe how good He is to me. I don't deserve Him! His love for me is incomparable to any other guys. He constantly melts my heart with His goodness and compassion. He always forgives me when I mess up and never ceases to listen to me. He encourages me daily and builds me up. He is someone who I know will always be there for me, through good and bad - thick and thin. Did you know you can share in His love too?

 Girl say what!?

Yeah, you heard me!

If you haven't figured it out yet, I'm talking about my sweet Prince Jesus. :)

His love is so refreshing and unchanging. 

"The LORD appeared to us in the past, saying:   
“I have loved you with an everlasting love;
   I have drawn you with unfailing kindness."

Jeremiah 31:3

 

So why is it that His love to us constantly seems not enough? Why is it so often that we find ourselves in search of earthly guy love and attention? There are many reasons, but I think when it boils down to it, it's because we are forgetful. We often forget that we do not need a guy's love or attention to make us complete and have a fulfilled life. It's tempting and our emotions can pull us in all sorts of directions away from Jesus. I've been there, done that. It never fills though. It never is enough. There is still a void, a gap. A whole in our hearts longing to be filled with everlasting love. 

More recently, I have found myself in various conversations relating to guys. It has actually started to bug me! Why can't we be happy with JUST our Jesus? Whatever happened to waiting on God's timing for love in our lives? Whatever happened to soaking up our singleness and taking advantage of it, using it as a time to grow closer to Jesus and deeper in love with our Savior? Instead we become miserable, we view it as suffering, we are impatient and must get what we "need"! We keep searching and waiting for that special guy to come along all the while forgetting that that "special guy" came for us a long time ago. Have you forgotten about your Prince Jesus?

My challenge to you: Don't waste your time waiting around for a guy to appear in your life, and instead focus on the Prince that has been in your life ever since you were born (and before that)! Hold fast to Jesus and never let go of your first True Love. I know there are times when you will feel lonely and wish that there was an earthly prince there to hold and comfort you, I feel that sometimes too! Even though we may forget about Jesus and His love, He certainly never forgets about us! He knows your longings and your hearts desires, but you have to trust in Him and wait on His timing, not your own.

 

" For you created my inmost being;
   you knit me together in my mother’s womb.
I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made;
   your works are wonderful,
   I know that full well.
 My frame was not hidden from you
   when I was made in the secret place,
   when I was woven together in the depths of the earth.
 Your eyes saw my unformed body;
   all the days ordained for me were written in your book
   before one of them came to be."

-Psalm 139:13-16

Note: If you're a guy, I encourage you to do the same. Wait on God's timing for Him to bring that special lady into your life! Until then, run after Jesus with all that you are and seek first His will for your life. :)