Love them as I love them... Have you ever thought about that? No, I mean really think about that. Jesus loves us unconditionally. No matter where we are in our lives in our decisions; He loves us! Yes, our choices may hurt Him but He will never walk away from us...It is us who turns from HIM. How do we love the mean little kid who is picking on our child? The husband who has no idea how to love his wife like Christ? The child abuser? The drunk driver? The adulterous relationship that has torn apart a family? The relationship that just doesn't work? As I take time to ponder this in the approaching season of fall, I am trying to make sense of the statement "forgive them as I have forgiven you" and "judge as you want me to judge you." The season in the mountains is incredibly beautiful. As fall is one of the wonderful seasons I see it as a time of decision. As the leaves fall so shall we to the feet of Jesus. Because right around the corner is the death of winter where he will save us to new life of the most beautiful daisies I have ever seen spring forth from the ground covered in living water to share their beauty and delicate life through the hot scorching life of summer. They give their lives to fill the beauty of their creator.
If Jesus wants me to show the fruit of the spirit as evidence of HIM in my life, I am to take note that they are: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness,gentleness and self control. Seriously? To the mother who just found out that her child has been hurt by a predator I am to ask her to have the fruit of the spirit. Ahh that is not human nature in our flesh! You better believe it is not possible. How in the world am I to say forgive... In Christ alone I am able to do immeasurable things that without Him I can not do. I can not explain the hurt, anger, rage that courses through our veins. But I can explain that as Jesus princess he loves me, forgives me and accepts me where I am: in all my hurt and rage. He sees my heart. He chose me before the foundation of the world. He knit me in my mother's womb. I love that scripture. It reminds me of my grandma sitting in the living room at such peace with her thick accent as she made blankets to show her love to her family; to cover them in warmth. That in my mind is what the Lord does. He knit me and clothed me to keep me warm and safe. An eternal safety. So being said that I can do all things through Christ Jesus who gives me strength I can have peace in a storm, rest on a wild ship, and comfort that Jesus has me in the palm of His hand and that no one but myself and my choices can harm my intimate relationship with my Savior.
He has felt every emotion, feeling and personality that I have. I am made in His image and therefore his perfect sacrifice for me as His chosen child I HAVE VICTORY in this fallen world. Satan is already defeated and I am clothed in an imaculate wedding dress for my groom. What does your dress look like?
