“For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believes in Him shall not perish but have everlasting life.” -John 3:16
There is simply no way to itemize all that God has done for me, in me and to me. From childhood I have always felt strange, fearful and out of place. These feelings grew stronger; as it did my life itself began to look like excess baggage,packed by someone else. To cover my faults, shortcomings and weaknesses, I engaged in high risk activities and never thought twice about the consequences of my actions. I was my own higher power and didn’t have to take others into consideration. Years of this dysfunctional behavior brought me, finally and painfully, to the brink of mental and physical collapse. And then, one day, an affirmation welled up in me that startled my senses, rocking my tenuous foundation to its core: God loves me. GOD LOVES ME! ME!
I’m impacted daily, and truly convicted, by the overriding and underlying theme of love on top of love. God so loved us that He gave of Himself in the form of Jesus, who then gave HIMSELF as both a sacrifice and love offering back to God, who Himself IS Love.
“And now abide these three; faith, hope and love, and the greatest of these is love.”
-I Corinthians 13:13
I didn’t understand why He loved me, I questioned how He even COULD love me. But something deeper inside me didn’t question or care – it just exuded gratitude for the knowing that HE DOES LOVE ME. I’m forever changed by this divine realization and forever grateful to be reminded of this very fact with every breath and step I take.
God loves me. Sometimes that’s all I have to the good, but somehow…it’s always enough…
HIDDEN IN THE ROCK
By Shari Jackson Small
Moses never made it over into the Promised Land,
Even though the Lord was with him, holding to his hand.
He’d seen GOD’s might and miracles; he knew GOD had set them free,
From Pharoah’s works of hatred at the parting of the sea.
He knew in Whom he trusted; they’d spoken face to face.
He knew of GOD’s abiding love, His mercy and His grace.
So when the Lord told Moses to speak words to a stone,
Moses should have done His bidding; Moses should have known…
That every single promise made by GOD was true.
For GOD is not a man that he should lie; yes, Moses knew this too.
But Moses couldn’t stop himself from striking at the rock,
He couldn’t keep his temper down. One strike! Oh Lord, the shock!
He’d given up his power to lead GOD’s holy folk
To the blessed Promised Land. Gone…with just one stroke.
I’m nowhere near to being Moses; I’ve yet to see His Face;
But I can tell you all about His mercy, love and grace.
So when I heard Him whisper, “YOU SEE THE ROCK STILL THERE?
SPEAK TO IT…THEN LISTEN…AND I WILL TRULY SHARE…
THE RICHES OF MY GLORY, SO DON’T SHOW SURPRISE OR SHOCK,
TO FIND MY WAY IN YOUR LIFE, IT’S HIDDEN IN THE ROCK.”
And so I vow to never make moves on my own.
I promise GOD I’ll never hit that precious cornerstone.
The stone that bids me welcome; I don’t even have to knock…
For now I know that all I am…is hidden in that Rock.
And now you’ve read this story, you’ll know just what to do,
Speak to the Rock…then listen…and you will be hidden too.
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