Rediscover the God who has never left you

“And I saw the river of which every soul must pass to reach the kingdom of Heaven, and the name of that river was suffering; and I saw a boat which carries souls across the river, and the name of that boat was love.”

(St. John of the Cross)

People are suffering all around us, and I believe more than in any previous age. In past centuries, people suffered due to a lack, a privation, of necessities: clean water, healthy food, medicinal remedies, and shelter. Now our modern society provides us with everything we need and even more that we don’t need. Yet people are more physically, mentally, and spiritually diseased than ever before and suicide remains the 2^nd leading cause of death amongst Americans under age 44. Why? Because God has been eliminated from our hearts. Christians bemoan the loss of God publicly in society, which has replaced Him with the false notion that freedom is found in self-absorption and immorality. But this only happened because we allowed it, even embracing it. Too many Christians fill their homes with displays of their faith but their minds are filled with secular ideologies. They attend weekly church services while daily feeding on media and entertainment that is anything but Christian. And their technology has become their god. 

We need to rediscover the God Who has never left our side. Unlike humans, God can only be faithful to us because that is who He is (2 Timothy 2:13); He is faithful and true (Revelation 19:11). Jesus has consecrated Himself for us so that we may be consecrated to Him (John 17:11-19). He has made of us a kingdom for our God (Luke 22:28-29). Following is just a handful of the many passages from God telling you His love for you. Let meditating on these be a start to rediscovering God. 

To know God’s personal love for you

Luke 15:1-7 The parable of the lost sheep: Not only does the Shepherd rejoice, all the Heavenly hosts rejoice for you personally.

Isaiah 43:1-7 God’s protective care for you: “Because you are precious in my eyes and honored and I love you”.

Psalm 139 (138):13-18 As He was making you  in “secret”, just you and Him, His eyes beheld your “unformed substance” and formed the days just for you.

Luke 12:22-32 The lilies of the field: “How much more value are you than the birds?” “It is your Father’s good pleasure to give you His Kingdom.”

Hosea 11:1-4, 9 “The more I called them, the more they went away from me”… “They did not know that I healed them. I led them with cords of compassion, with bands of love”…  “I am God not man…and I will not come to destroy.”

Job 38 and 39: All are examples of God’s care of creation, including you.

Luke 15:11-32 The prodigal son’s father:  ask God to let you see yourself from His view, Him running after you with arms open.

Romans 8:28-30 You are called, justified, and glorified.

Hebrews 9:6-14 The blood of Christ purifies.

John 17:  You are the Father’s gift to the Son (v. 24). Let Jesus tell you how much He loves you.

Isaiah 49:25 “I will contend with those who contend with you, and I will save your children”.

Psalm 116:5-6  “Our Lord has compassion. I was helpless so He saved me.”

Psalm 138 The hymn of a grateful heart: talk with your Heavenly Father about how He cares for the lowly (v. 6), guards your life (v. 7), stretches His hand out to you (v. 7) and is with you to the end (v. 8).

Isaiah 62:1-5 You will no longer be called forsaken or desolate but now “My Delight is in her”. Your God rejoices in you.

John 15:9 “As the Father loves me, so I also love you. Remain in my love.” He calls you friend (v. 15). 

A colloquy to the Holy Trinity for relief from wounded thoughts:

Holy Spirit, please speak to me in my heart so I hear your truth instead of the voice of my pain.

Jesus, my Shepherd and healer, please help me to remember that You are already with me in my pain, suffering it with me in the center of my heart.

Heavenly Father, I desire to embrace You and not my pain. Please enter my wound and draw me close to You so I may love You. Amen.

(Image by Chris Guan on Unsplash)