Can anything ever separate us from Christ’s love? The lies that ruminate in our distorted thinking attempt to. Circumstances may attempt to. Temptations that create guilt without our even succumbing to them, attempt to. Does it mean he no longer loves us if we have trouble or calamity, or are persecuted, or hungry, or destitute, or in danger, or threatened with death? When the crisis comes, the character assault, the sting of death, the emptiness of failure, the unkept promises from others, God can seem so distant, and my tendency is to retreat to my cocoon of self-protection or addictive habits. No, despite all these things, overwhelming victory is ours through Christ, who loved us. His love may be the solitary light in the darkness, but, it is there. There is a promise that will always be kept that pervades that light. It is a promise that assures me I do not have to be victimized by the darkness. The darkness may be very real. It may be threatening and much bigger than I am. It may not go away, but the light of God’s love is my safety, my security, my enablement, and my encouragement. God’s love softens the darkness, and gives reason and purpose. It opens my heart to His unfailing presence and the truth that He wants to replace the lies with. I am convinced that nothing can ever separate us from God’s love. My faith may falter as doubts intrude, but I must acknowledge the love that never, ever, goes away. When I shake off my self-made cocoon, and simply look in God’s direction, He will do the rest. His truth will overwhelm me when I least expect it. Neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither our fears for today nor our worries about tomorrow – not even the powers of hell can separate us from God’s love. The busy pursuits of life, the "demons" of our own vulnerabilities, the fears of unpaid bills, of prodigals, of inabilities, the worries of tomorrow’s uncertainties – none of these can quench the stubborn, unyielding, love of God. Nothing in all creation will ever be able to separate us from the love of God that is revealed in Christ Jesus our Lord. His love was most passionate and most pursuing when He gave us the sacrifice of His Son. His giving has not ceased. His love longs to give to us over and over and over again.
I now have a choice. I can choose God’s love, the incomprehensible, impeccably sufficient love of my eternal, ever-present Father, or I can choose the discord or terror of whatever earthly tentacles will attempt to wrench me from my Father’s hands. I am infinitely secure in His love – nothing has the capacity to thwart it or abort its power and provision. But, in my choosing, I can focus on the discord or the terror, and not be aware of – not see, nor sense, nor feel, nor even believe – the forever loving hands that hold me. Daughter of God, let us all choose God’s love. It reflects the heart of the Father for us.
– Bev
(Related Bible reading: Romans 8:35-39)
