How do you separate the way that God loves us from the
way that people love us?
It is difficult.
God hates our sin, but He LOVES us. He gave His only Son to die so that we could
be with him for eternity.
Jesus was the bridge that connected our sinful selves to the
Holiness of God.
God LOVES us.
People love us when we do things for them. Or when we are
nice to them. Or when we appear perfect and always seem to do the right things.
If we are popular. Rich. Attractive.
When we mess up, many friends disappear. Or gossip about
us. Or just turn their backs. People judge us unfairly.
It is personally hard for me to reconcile how God loves
me, and then separate that from how people love me. Even family. Sometimes
family, the people who are supposed to love you the most, are the worst
offenders.
I remember being judged so much after I left for the
military. I'm not really sure what I did to start the process, and I know I
made mistakes, but I just never really knew what started it. I have my suspicions,
but will probably never know on this side of heaven.
I recall the first time I noticed it happening. I had
found out I has gotten orders to England, and was so very excited! I was going
home to visit and told my family I had exciting news to share when I got home.
When I was picked up in Atlanta, I was told (demanded) that I needed to spill my
exciting news. I said I wanted to tell everyone at once, and then I was asked
me "are you pregnant?" I was crushed. It still hurts to this day, to
know my worth in that moment.
I think it is so difficult for all of us to separate our
actions from the way God sees us. I struggle to be the person I am on a day to
day basis when I am around my family, because I feel like they only see my
actions and define me in that manner. But I am NOT that person when I am at
home in Colorado.
I am a confident, don’t take any crap from anyone, business
owner, amazing, single mom! I have a
Master’s degree, and I graduated with Honors. I worked my tail off for that degree!
I am a full-time employee and I am valued at work. I have friends who care
about me and don’t judge me based on my actions.
On the way in to work this morning, I was listening to
Wally (Way FM morning show) read an email from a lady who had a divorced female
friend, and the friend had an unrepentant heart with regards to her actions
that led to the divorce. A caller made some comments and then Wally said
something to the effect of; “God doesn’t see our sins, He sees us as white and
clean as snow, washed by the Blood of the Lamb. He doesn’t see our lies, our
adultery, our theft. He sees none of that.”
I have to work through that in my mind and forgive, then forget about the stuff held against me. Even if anyone still holds it against me, I’m forgiven by the One who truly matters. And those people have to deal with the stuff in their heart - the unforgiveness, the grudges and everything else. Not me.
With this Easter season approaching, remember the
sacrifice of Jesus for us, and reconcile THAT love within yourself and stop
thinking the way that people love you is the way the God loves you.
