I love Jeremiah 29:11. It’s that verse that I recite in my mind regularly, if not constantly. But just a couple chapters later, in chapter 31, verse 3, there is a statement: I have loved you with an everlasting love.
A few years ago I purchased a little book for all of my children, a copy for each. It’s called “Just Decrees for Your Life,” by Sebastien Richard.
I am no prosperity gospel proponent, as you already know, but this book is Scripture to be read out loud, declared, and thought of in our daily lives.
There is no magic, just truth.
Growing up I dealt with a poor self image. Those of you who know me (in person) see a short, stocky, plain gal. I look like a northern European peasant.
But in my family I was an anomaly. I have tall, slender relatives. I never felt my appearance was okay, and that is sad, because God made me. I let the beauty standards of the 70’s and 80’s fix my mindset.
But beauty isn’t everything about a person. I was always told “Charm is deceitful and beauty is vain, but a woman who fears the Lord shall be praised.”
I believe that. It is Scripture, after all.
But over time I felt unloved and unworthy by the world’s standards. It sort of seeped into my core.
Age did me no favors!
God doesn’t give up on us, though, and I kept asking Him why He loved me. What was there to love? I’m just a selfish sinner, homely and worth little.
I could see His amazing care for me, but I didn’t understand it.
When tragedies hit my life (I can truly relate to JOB) I wondered if it was punishment or discipline, persecution or God’s rejection.
Tragedies are part of life. Some of us deal with more of them than others.
But this season of quiet grief and loss I have been “declaring” Jeremiah 31:3 out loud.
Everlasting love. God loves me with an everlasting love. ME.
Unworthy me.
What in the world does He see fit to love in me? I certainly see nothing.
But HE HAS declared His love for me.
And I start to believe it.
That I am saved by Christ’s sacrifice is something my belief has accepted for my life. I put my faith in Christ. I am declared righteous by His atonement. My salvation is solid. Christ alone.
But the worthiness of God’s love still comes hard for me to fathom.
I don’t understand it at all.
Why in the world??—
Would He love me?
A light seeps in the dark room, though, lately. It is like a matter of faith for me. Perhaps it is for you, too?
He loves me. He declares His love for even me. I need to believe it, and perhaps, just perhaps, I start to, even in my old age.
I don’t see myself as God sees me. He created me. I am His handiwork, certainly affected by this fallen, sinful world. God sees something lovable.
My heart is being softened. I see progress.
We are loved.
Now we see through a glass darkly. It’s only a part of the picture. We will see HIM, face to face, and that is all we need. We need to be looking at HIM, and not ourselves.
God is love.
MARANATHA!