Hannah Chung

Why Would God Love Me?

Reflecting on God as our father and creator.

It’s quite a mystery why the holiest being of all would love broken people.

And yet, we must believe in His love in order to know that we are saved.

I’ve been pondering this question for quite some time, especially as I’ve been reflecting on God’s holiness–and how it contrasts my innate brokenness.

While that might seem a bit despairing, I’ve actually found so much hope through this process. It’s reminded me that God is so merciful and compassionate to offer us a lifetime of chances to draw near to Him out of His endless love for us.

Though we can’t have a definitive answer to “why would God love me?” while on earth, God gives us clues in the Bible to help us better understand Him.

God is given many titles throughout the Bible. Two of them have helped me understand His love a little more.

God is our father

See what great love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are! The reason the world does not know us is that it did not know him.

1 John 3:1 (NIV)

God is a perfect father, unlike any human father or man we’ve interacted with.

And a perfect father loves His children simply because they belong to Him.

He feeds them, clothes them, and comforts them when they fall. He instructs them, provides them with wisdom, and sends them out into the world when they are fully grown. He loves them from the moment they are born, even when they cannot love him back.

This is the kind of father that God is.

If you have children, you might understand this even more deeply. When your child is an infant, they can’t produce anything for society or provide you material gain. The biggest gift they can offer is a simple smile or cute gesture. Yet you lose sleep over them. You make sacrifices to care for them.

Why?

Because you love them in unexplainable ways. And you would do anything for their good–even when it takes personal sacrifice.

Jesus is God’s Son, first and foremost. The only perfect child of God. And yet God sacrificed Him for our sins, so that we can all be called children of God and dwell with Him forever.

That takes love to a whole other level, doesn’t it?

God is an artist

Yet you, Lord, are our Father.
We are the clay, you are the potter;
we are all the work of your hand.

Isaiah 64:8 (NIV)

Have you ever spoken with an author about her book? Or a painter about his masterpiece?

I bet their eyes lit up as they spoke. They knew their work with a surreal kind of intimacy. Perhaps they even spoke about their characters as if they were real people.

(Which, as a novelist, I can deeply sympathize with…)

The best is spending time with a kid who has recently finished an artwork. It doesn’t matter if it looks like a bunch of scribble lines–this is their masterpiece. It must be properly applauded before being hung in a place of honor.

When we’ve poured our heart and soul into a project, it becomes a special part of us. We no longer see it with the eyes of the world–we’re too blinded by love.

God is the master artist. Each morning and evening, He paints the sky with brilliant colors. He designed each animal in their unique way. He designed the very systems that allow us to live.

We were made by God’s own hands. He breathed the breath of life into humanity, as His final and most sacred creation.

God gives us worth because He loves us and we bear His image.

For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.

Ephesians 2:10 (NIV)

Regardless of why God loves us, we should be filled with gratitude.

It makes no logical sense for a perfect God to love broken people, and yet He does.

This is why we can have hope. The future is in God’s hands. Our lives are in His hands. He loves us, so He will always be drawing us closer to Him.

The question is, will you accept the calling into His love?

Bearing the Name of Christ

How might you act differently if the first thing people knew about you was that you’re a Christian?

Have you ever been on the road and the car ahead of you can’t figure out how to use their turning signal? Or maybe someone cuts you off on the highway, making you slam on the brakes.

And then you see it–the out-of-state license plate. That explains everything.

When we’re on the road, there are very few things other drivers know about us. But they do know one thing–what state we’re coming from. For a brief period of time, we are the representatives of that state, and other drivers might make assumptions about our state based on how we drive.

As Christians, we bear a much more significant name. We are Jesus’ representatives on earth when we identify as Christian.

In fact, we might even be someone’s first experience with Jesus.

Let’s pause here for a moment.

We aren’t expected to be perfect simply because we bear Jesus’ name. However, we should hold ourselves to higher standards because we understand the impact we might have on others. We should be actively pursuing God’s will for our lives, which means growing in godly character and love for our neighbors.

But how are we supposed to go about doing this?

And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.

Colossians 3:17

The first step is remembering what God has already done for us and praising Him. He created us because He loves us. And even when we fell short of His glory, He gave us His Son as the perfect sacrifice for our sins.

Therefore, we must love and forgive others, even when it’s difficult.

The second step is asking God for help. He is all-powerful, fully capable of equipping and strengthening us to do His will. We won’t be able to love others well on our own.

Therefore, we must spend time with God each day and seek counsel from His Word and His people. We aren’t meant to do life alone.

The third step is seeking out opportunities to serve others. Before Jesus ascended into Heaven, He commanded His disciples to go forth and create more disciples. This means going outside your comfort zone and serving people in your community.

Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.

Matthew 28:19

Why would Jesus encourage us to do this?

Because there are so many people wandering the earth in despair, carrying the burden of their sin and shame on their shoulders. There are people throwing their lives away by chasing after temporary satisfaction. And there are Christians who feel hopeless because they’ve been hurt by other believers who haven’t bore the name of Christ with honor.

Today, I challenge you to go out into your community and pretend like you’re wearing a shirt that says, “I am a follow of Jesus.” (Bonus points if you’re actually wearing that shirt.) Consider how you might act differently knowing that the first thing people will know about you is that you’re a Christian.

Will you be slower to speak and quicker to listen? Will you use gentler language and exercise more patience? Will you reach out to someone who seems lonely or left out?

God has wonderful plans for you. It’s okay–normal, even–if you mess up along the way. His grace is sufficient for that.

What matters is that you’re following God’s call on your life, relying on His strength and not your own.

Whatever happens, conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ.

Philippians 1:27

The Gift We Don’t Deserve

But that’s given out of love.

Have you ever received a gift that you didn’t think you deserved?

I’ll never forget when I exchanged birthday gifts with a friend several years ago. I peeled back the paper, expecting to find something sweet and simple, only to discover a gift certificate that was worth triple the amount of the gift I gave her.

I felt so guilty, I couldn’t bring myself to use the certificate. I tried to think of ways to repay her, but they all fell flat. It was impossible for me to believe she simply wanted me to have this generous gift because she cared about our friendship. I kept telling myself that I didn’t earn this gift—so I didn’t deserve it.

We’ve all received a gift we don’t deserve: the forgiveness of our sins.

By being imperfect people, we cannot make enough sacrifices, do enough good things, or purify ourselves from our brokenness. Jesus is the only perfect sacrifice for our sins.

He exchanged His life for ours. There’s no greater gift than that.

This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins.

1 John 4:10 (NIV)

There are many possible responses to the gift of God’s forgiveness. A few of them include:

Trying to earn God’s forgiveness (even though we can’t) through good works and sacrifices
Treating His forgiveness as commonplace because we simply can’t wrap our heads around the weight of this gift
Wallowing in guilt over Jesus’ sacrifice because we know we don’t deserve it
Not believing that we’re truly forgiven

I’ve struggled with all of these responses, and honestly, I continue to struggle with them. Why? Because I’m a logical person, and it doesn’t make sense for God to offer this gift freely.

But then I remember He loves me. He loves His people. He loves the world He created, even though He despises its brokenness.

And that’s why He’s offering us an escape from the brokenness, an opportunity to experience His everlasting light even in the darkness.

Have you ever loved someone so much, you would do anything for them?

That’s the kind of love God has for us. Overwhelming, overflowing, indescribable love. The kind that prompts Him to do whatever it takes to be with us for all eternity.

So what’s the right response to God’s gift?

Praising God for His holiness and endless love
Asking God for help in accepting this gift
Doing good deeds, making sacrifices out of love, and serving those around us–not to earn God’s grace or repay Him for His gift, but from a thankful and sincere heart

How might God be prompting you to extend grace to someone who doesn’t deserve it today?

For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— not by works, so that no one can boast.

Ephesians 2:8-9 (NIV)

Do Not Grow Weary in Doing Good

Is it difficult to follow in Jesus’ footsteps when you don’t see the fruit of your labor?

Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.

Galatians 6:9 (NIV)

I’ve been clinging onto this verse for so long.

And I’ll be honest, there are days when I feel like giving up. When it doesn’t feel worth it to take the high road, make sacrifices, and pursue God’s calling for me.

This weariness often stems from comparison. Lies weave their way into my mind when I look at others’ lives and wonder why they have things I’ve longed for.

Why was she chosen?

Why was he given that opportunity?

Will I never see a breakthrough?

But God’s been reminding me over and over that He’s my sustainer. He’s the source of my strength. I won’t find fulfillment in chasing after those things on my own.

The things we covet are often idols in our lives. They can be good things, but when we believe those things will satisfy us more than God, they have a stronghold over us.

Surrendering those desires and asking God for strength is the only way we can endure the rocky seasons when it feels like we’re left behind.

God hasn’t forgotten you, friend.

Choosing to stay on the course God has set before us requires trust in Him. He promises that we’ll reap a harvest, but at His appointed time.

Not ours.

That means we might wait weeks, months, years–even decades–before we witness the fruit of our labor.

Perhaps there’s a difficult person in your life who you’ve treated with kindness and mercy. It would be wonderful to see them transform during your lifetime, but perhaps you won’t know the impact you had on them until Heaven.

Even if we don’t see the fruit of our good deeds, seeds are still being planted. Hearts are still being softened. Hope is still rising forth through simple loving actions.

We don’t do good in order to earn our salvation. We strive to become more like Christ out of gratitude for the immeasurable gift He’s already given us.

Jesus chose to die on the cross for our sins. Nobody forced Him to give up His life, but He loved us enough to make the ultimate sacrifice with no personal gain.

He loves us still, even when we stumble.

He didn’t give up, even when faced with death.

In our trials, both great and small, we must press on with hope and courage. Even if we never receive rewards for our hard work on earth, we will be rewarded in our reunion with our Heavenly Father.

His presence is enough.

When we die to ourselves out of love for God and people, we will find new life.

Let’s live in light of that new life today.

Do you not know?
    Have you not heard?
The Lord is the everlasting God,
    the Creator of the ends of the earth.
He will not grow tired or weary,
    and his understanding no one can fathom.
He gives strength to the weary
    and increases the power of the weak.

Isaiah 40:28-29

A Cloudy Conviction

What if the rain is part of God’s greater plan?

As someone who lives in one of the rainiest parts of the country, the weather is often the topic of conversation.

If it’s sunny, everyone runs outside to soak in their year’s worth of Vitamin D–and then runs back inside because it’s way too hot.

If it’s rainy, everyone complains about how it’s so gloomy outside and summer will never arrive.

There really is no universally agreed upon “perfect” weather. 65 degrees is ideal for me, but it might be dreadfully cold for you. A little cloud cover is my preference, but perhaps my neighbor is only satisfied with full sun.

Even my dog has an opinion! He refuses to go for a walk if it’s too wet or too hot–which is any temperature above 60 degrees in his opinon.

I’ll confess, I’m one of those people who always has some critique about the weather. But I’ve been convicted about that recently.

Yesterday at work, many people were complaining about how wet and dreary it’s been this week, especially this close to summer.

But when I came home, I learned that a friend had a house fire earlier this week, and their home–in fact, their entire street–was spared from destruction because it had rained.

I certainly felt convicted. Not just about complaining when it’s gloomy outside, but anytime I’m upset when God seems to be doing things that go against what I think is best.

God knows what He’s doing, even when on the surface, it seems like the opposite of what we want.

He created the weather, so through both sun and rain, we must trust that He planned out the seasons with intention.

God created us, so He knows what He’s doing inside us even when we feel lost or confused or broken beyond repair.

The good news is, God’s will isn’t thwarted by our complaining or lack of trust in His perfect plan.

But when we learn to surrender to His will, when the storms come, we will be anchored in His peace.

Because God wanted to make the unchanging nature of his purpose very clear to the heirs of what was promised, he confirmed it with an oath. ¹⁸God did this so that, by two unchangeable things in which it is impossible for God to lie, we who have fled to take hold of the hope set before us may be greatly encouraged. ¹⁹We have this hope as an anchor for the soul, firm and secure. It enters the inner sanctuary behind the curtain, ²⁰where our forerunner, Jesus, has entered on our behalf. He has become a high priest forever, in the order of Melchizedek.

Hebrews 6:17-20 (NIV)

Many are the plans in a person’s heart,
but it is the Lord’s purpose that prevails.

Proverbs 19:21 (NIV)

This is the confidence we have in approaching God: that if we ask anything according to his will, he hears us.

1 John 5: 14 (NIV)

The Biggest Lesson God’s Taught Me at Age 22

A reflection over this past year, closing with encouragement for your faith journey.

Only God can truly satisfy the desires of my heart.

There. Plain and simple. But sometimes, that truth is really hard to accept when the world is so enticing.

So let’s backtrack a little.

22 has been an interesting year for me. In some ways, I finally feel like I know where I’m headed–in the short term and the longterm.

It’s been a privilege pursuing my career goal of becoming an author, and after receiving so much professional feedback and encouragement this year, this dream actually seems within reach.

And a couple months ago, I participated in an in-depth study of Revelation, which reminded me of the eternal home we have with Jesus. I felt a strange sense of comfort, despite all of the warnings and trials foreshadowed in Revelation, by the reassurance that this earth is not our home, so it’s okay if we don’t feel like we belong here sometimes.

This has been a year of healing from past hurts, finding hope that reconciliation is possible, and learning to rely on God day by day for strength, grace, and wisdom.

It’s also been a year of recognizing that as beautiful as my dreams might be, achieving them won’t satisfy me completely.

Yes, reconciliation is worth fighting for. Yes, becoming an author could impact the lives of many readers. Yes, traveling the world might open my perspective in new and exciting ways.

But will any of that fully satisfy me? No.

At the end of the day, I must surrender all of those things to God. With surrender comes supernatural peace, hope and joy, even in the waiting.

The biggest joy of my life this year has been growing in my hunger for God.

It’s taken a long time to get here. Growing up, I didn’t enjoy reading the Bible on my own. As I got older, I began the discipline of being in the Word consistently, and after a while, my day couldn’t start without time with God. My dependence on Him grew the more I abided in Him and His teaching.

But this year, my desire for God went from craving what His presence would give me (peace, rest, answers) and transformed into a desire for God Himself. To know Him more, to understand Him deeply, and to learn how He wants me to live–even at the cost of my own earthly desires.

God will continue to help me grow in my obedience to Him, especially as I learn to trust Him more each day. I’m still at the beginning of this stage of my faith journey, but I’m so thankful for His grace and patience with me, even when I fall into temptation or trust in my own judgement rather than His divine wisdom.

Though the world feels dim and dark, I pray that we will shine brightly with the hope found in Jesus as we look forward to our reunion with Him.

What are you thankful to God for today?

May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.

Romans 15:13 (NIV)

Our Hope is Found in Jesus

Jesus offers us new life and will one day come again to restore all things.

Happy Easter, friends! He is risen!

As we remember Jesus’ sacrifice on the cross and miraculous resurrection from the grave, there are many parallels to when Jesus comes again.

But first, let’s take a look-back at the Easter story.

On the first day of the week, very early in the morning, the women took the spices they had prepared and went to the tomb. ²They found the stone rolled away from the tomb, ³but when they entered, they did not find the body of the Lord Jesus. ⁴While they were wondering about this, suddenly two men in clothes that gleamed like lightning stood beside them.

⁵In their fright the women bowed down with their faces to the ground, but the men said to them, “Why do you look for the living among the dead? ⁶He is not here; he has risen! Remember how he told you, while he was still with you in Galilee: ⁷‘The Son of Man must be delivered over to the hands of sinners, be crucified and on the third day be raised again.’”

⁸Then they remembered his words.

⁹When they came back from the tomb, they told all these things to the Eleven and to all the others. ¹⁰It was Mary Magdalene, Joanna, Mary the mother of James, and the others with them who told this to the apostles.

¹¹But they did not believe the women, because their words seemed to them like nonsense.

¹²Peter, however, got up and ran to the tomb. Bending over, he saw the strips of linen lying by themselves, and he went away, wondering to himself what had happened.

Luke 24:2-12 (NIV)

The women expected to find Jesus’ body, but instead, they were met with an empty tomb and two angelic guards who delivered a shocking message.

This shouldn’t have been an unfamiliar message to them. After all, Jesus predicted His death and resurrection many times during His earthly ministry. And in the Old Testament, the prophets foretold all of this as well.

But imagine being these women. They saw Jesus die on the cross and all hope was lost. It seemed like the world couldn’t get any darker. While they might’ve vaguely remembered Jesus’ words, it seemed too late for redemption.

They had to face the facts. Jesus was dead. They just had to press forward and honor His legacy with what they had.

But they forgot the truth. Jesus is more powerful than any darkness we face on earth. He promised to conquer death, rise again, and offer new life to all who believe, and so He did.

Right now, the world feels darker and more broken than ever. We’ve been waiting for more than three days for Jesus to return and restore the world. Sometimes, it may feel like He won’t ever return. It may even seem like darkness and evil has won.

But if we let our present circumstances destroy our hope, then we’ve also forgotten the truth.

The truth proclaimed throughout the entire Bible, reminding us that this world is not our home. And one day, Jesus will return and offer everlasting life for those who hold true to His word and remain faithful.

We are not too late for redemption. Jesus will come again. His love and power will never fail, so even while the world crumbles around us, we can still have hope.

Friend, don’t let your present circumstances destroy your hope. Let’s place our hope in Jesus, who never changes, and will one day bring us home to be with Him forever.

Then I saw “a new heaven and a new earth,” for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and there was no longer any sea.

²I saw the Holy City, the new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride beautifully dressed for her husband.

³And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “Look! God’s dwelling place is now among the people, and he will dwell with them. They will be his people, and God himself will be with them and be their God. ⁴‘He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death’ or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.”

Revelation 21:1-4 (NIV)

Finding Hope in God’s Word

Encouraging verses for when you feel anxious or abandoned.

It’s been a season of many trials, but God has blessed me in so many ways. Particularly through godly friends who have become prayer partners and encouragers.

I’m anticipating a stressful day tomorrow, and a friend sent me several encouraging Bible verses. I hope these verses bring comfort and peace to you too ❤

Unless the Lord had given me help,
    I would soon have dwelt in the silence of death.
When I said, “My foot is slipping,”
    your unfailing love, Lord, supported me.
When anxiety was great within me,
    your consolation brought me joy.

Psalm 94: 17-19 (NIV)

My salvation and my honor depend on God;
    he is my mighty rock, my refuge.
Trust in him at all times, you people;
    pour out your hearts to him,
    for God is our refuge.

Psalm 62:7-8 (NIV)

The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.

John 10:10 (NIV)

God is our refuge and strength,
    an ever-present help in trouble.
Therefore we will not fear, though the earth give way
    and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea,
though its waters roar and foam
    and the mountains quake with their surging.

Psalm 46:1-3 (NIV)

So do not fear, for I am with you;
    do not be dismayed, for I am your God.
I will strengthen you and help you;
    I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.

For I am the Lord your God
    who takes hold of your right hand
and says to you, Do not fear;
    I will help you.

Isaiah 41:10, 13 (NIV)

I’d encourage you to save these verses (or create your own compilation) that remind you of God’s character. He’s trustworthy, all-powerful, and loves us more than we can comprehend. His plan is best for us, even when it’s difficult to see in the middle of the storm.

Perhaps you have a friend who is going through a hard time. Sending a Bible verse, worship song, and a heartfelt message could be God’s way of strengthening them through you.

May you experience God’s peace and strength in all you face today. And tomorrow, too 😉

Our Response to Suffering Reflects the Condition of Our Hearts

The way we respond to suffering might not feel important, but it actually reveals how we really feel about God.

Suffering can refer to any range of discomfort, loss, and pain. It may involve a deep wound from a once-trusted friend or the loss of someone very dear. Perhaps it’s more temporary but still draining, such as a troubling situation at work or a frustrating miscommunication.

We have all undergone some sort of suffering. It’s part of what makes us human.

The people in the book of Revelation undergo significant suffering, likely more severe than our worst nightmares.

There are two groups of people in Revelation: worshippers of God and worshippers of Satan.

Worshippers of God experience suffering at the hands of sinful, unrepentant people. They are persecuted, humiliated, and even killed for their faith. Yet even after death, they praise God and call out for His help.

Meanwhile, worshippers of Satan (who has many names in Revelation, such as the beast), undergo strong judgement from God. There are many plagues they experience, such as giant locusts who torture people, all water turning into blood, and killer hailstones.

Many people get caught up on whether or not Christians will also experience these plagues. But that’s not the point of today’s devotional.

The bottom line is this: we will experience suffering while we live in a broken world. So how will we respond to it?

After this I looked, and there before me was a great multitude that no one could count, from every nation, tribe, people and language, standing before the throne and before the Lamb. They were wearing white robes and were holding palm branches in their hands. ¹⁰And they cried out in a loud voice:

“Salvation belongs to our God,
who sits on the throne,
and to the Lamb.”

And he said, “These are they who have come out of the great tribulation; they have washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb.”

Revelation 7:9-10, 14b (NIV)

Responding with praise and prayer to God doesn’t negate the pain of our suffering. In fact, it’s because Christians suffer that God must judge those who have caused this suffering. It would be unjust for Him to not punish those who have harmed the innocent and remain unrepentant.

When he opened the fifth seal, I saw under the altar the souls of those who had been slain because of the word of God and the testimony they had maintained. ¹⁰They called out in a loud voice, “How long, Sovereign Lord, holy and true, until you judge the inhabitants of the earth and avenge our blood?” ¹¹Then each of them was given a white robe, and they were told to wait a little longer, until the full number of their fellow servants, their brothers and sisters, were killed just as they had been.

Revelation 6:9-11 (NIV)

Our response to pain doesn’t diminish the reality of our pain. It indicates what comes next.

Children of God are filled with hope because they know that suffering is temporary. Their faithfulness is rewarded when they are reunited with God in Heaven and spend their days praising Him forever.

Meanwhile, those who reject God respond to their suffering by blaming Him, blaspheming His name, and remaining stubborn in their sin.

The fourth angel poured out his bowl on the sun, and the sun was allowed to scorch people with fire. ⁹They were seared by the intense heat and they cursed the name of God, who had control over these plagues, but they refused to repent and glorify him.

Revelation 16:8-9 (NIV)

It may seem impossible to praise God during your suffering.

And it is impossible.

But it’s not impossible with God’s help.

When we call out to God with our honest emotions and reflect on His character, He will give us the strength to praise Him through every storm.

Remember, when we praise God, we aren’t necessarily thanking Him for the painful situation. We’re praising Him because His holiness, power, and love remains the same even in the midst of our suffering.

Today, ask God to give you the strength to praise Him through hard times. Confess your deepest feelings to Him and trust that He cares for you. ❤

Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, ²through whom we have gained access by faith into this grace in which we now stand. And we boast in the hope of the glory of God. ³Not only so, but we also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; ⁴perseverance, character; and character, hope. ⁵And hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us.

Romans 5:1-5 (NIV)

Let God Use You to Spread His Love

Do you feel intimidated when God calls you to share His love? Perhaps it’s simpler than you think.

God’s love is perfect. God’s love is sacrificial. God’s love is eternal.

So how on earth are we–flawed human beings–expected to spread His love?

Well, it might be a little simpler than you think.

Earlier this week, I had an incredibly stressful day. Much of that stress resulted from a situation with a client who was particularly critical and demanding. Their words beat me down and I was ready to snap.

Then a text popped up on my phone.

I winced, then peeked at it. A smile spread across my lips.

A person from my church was offering to give me her jacket. A nice jacket, lightly worn, and something she thought I might enjoy.

I was completely caught off-guard, but in the best way possible.

New, positive thoughts filled my mind. Someone was thinking kindly of me? Someone wanted to bless me today?

That’s all it takes to show someone God’s love.

This woman didn’t know I was having a rough day. I’m not entirely sure what made her decide this jacket was meant for me. She could’ve stuffed it back into her closet, donated it to Goodwill, or sold it at a garage sale.

But instead, she chose to reach out to me and spread God’s love.

Showing God’s love often looks like “random acts of kindness.” But they aren’t random. They require listening to God’s leading and acting on the things He tells us to do.

Often that means sacrificing our own comfort, possessions, or time. We may even sacrifice our reputation when God nudges us to reach out to someone outside our circle.

There’s another difference between loving others and simply being kind. When we’re just being kind, we might be motivated selfishly. Perhaps we want to be seen as the “kind/good/caring person.” Perhaps we desire something in return, even if that’s simply being treated kindly back.

But when we show others God’s love, we don’t expect anything in return.

Why? Because we’re already satisfied by God’s love and kindness toward us.

Let them give thanks to the Lord for his unfailing love
and his wonderful deeds for mankind,
for he satisfies the thirsty
and fills the hungry with good things.

Psalm 107:8-9 (NIV)

The loving gesture I experienced helped me to treat my client with more respect and generosity. My natural inclination was bitterness and resentment, which is just as wrong as the way my client mistreated me.

You, therefore, have no excuse, you who pass judgment on someone else, for at whatever point you judge another, you are condemning yourself, because you who pass judgment do the same things.

³So when you, a mere human being, pass judgment on them and yet do the same things, do you think you will escape God’s judgment? ⁴Or do you show contempt for the riches of his kindness, forbearance and patience, not realizing that God’s kindness is intended to lead you to repentance?

Romans 2:1, 3-4 (NIV)

Does this mean we ought to surround ourselves with people who treat us poorly?

No.

Jesus’ inner circle primarily included trusted friends (with the exception of Judas). These were the people who got unlimited access to Jesus, even when He took breaks from the rest of the crowd.

However, Jesus ministered to all the people around Him, including those who wished Him dead. He fed them, shared the gospel with them, and answered their tricky questions.

As followers of Jesus, we must use His approach as our example.

Whenever God prompts us to share His love with someone, we must answer that call with obedience.

And if we don’t? God will simply use someone else and we’ll miss out on the opportunity.

But God is persistent. He will call us again and again. We just have to listen and obey.

Though we’ve all missed opportunities to share His love in the past, it’s not too late to start listening today. Ask God who He wants you to reach out to and how He wants you to bless them.

You are a beacon of His love. ❤

“A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.”

John 13:34-35 (NIV)