This was God’s message to me today. Stop with the ongoing thoughts:
“I should have…”
“I should never have…”
“I really should be more like…”
“I should be ashamed for…”
Stop shoulding on yourself, and listen to Me. I love you with an everlasting love. I dreamed you up in My heart and created you for a purpose. I have awesome and abundant plans for your life. Stop criticizing yourself and listen to Me.
Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus,
because through Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit of life set me free
from the law of sin and death. Romans 8:1-2
The Lord posed a few questions in my heart this morning. Take a minute to consider them as I did…. When the one you love (friend, child, sibling, spouse) is distant from you, do you get angry with them? When the one you cherish doesn’t listen to you or obey your wishes, do you write them off forever? When the one you love hurts you, do you stop loving them back?
I am a sinful, weak, selfish human being, yet I can often maintain love for someone who has wandered away, disobeyed, or hurt me. How much MORE does the living, loving, compassionate God of this universe love me and you, even when we are distant, rebellious, and independent in our relationship with Him?
When I start shoulding on myself, it drives me further away from God rather than to Him. Why do I run and hide? He knows me, and how I am. He is not surprised by my behavior. I must remember that He loves me, that He longs for me, and that He is waiting for me to return to His presence. Not so that He can lecture me or punish me, but so that He can embrace me with all of His love and shower me with His grace. Hear this (personalized) word from the Lord:
.
“When you were a child, I loved you,
and out of bondage I called you, My child.
But the more I called, the further you went from me.
You sought your own way and worshiped other things.
It was I who taught you to walk, taking you by the arms;
but you did not realize it was I who healed you.
I led you with cords of human kindness, with ties of love;
I lifted the yoke from your neck and bent down to feed you.”
Hosea 11:1-4
I am the LORD your God and I am with you,
I am mighty to save.
I will take great delight in you,
I will quiet you with My love,
I will rejoice over you with singing.”
Zephaniah 3:17