Now that my three and a half year old grandson is talking more, he’s able to express the way he feels in a more demonstrative way and he says the most precious things. . .The other day while driving with him, we were counting and noticing all the buses now that school has started back up.
I said to him, “One day, Lukey, you’ll be riding on a school bus.”
To my surprise, he answered, “No, Mimi, not yet.”
I responded, “Don’t you want to ride on a bus and go to school?”
“No, I go to the park, the farm, the library, Mimi’s home, Aunt Haha’s home. I stay home with Mama and Dada.”
In essence what he was saying was that he enjoyed being home and in the presence of his family. Family is where he experiences love—and out of that love he has everything he needs.
He is able to live loved!
So it is with us, when we abide in the Father’s love (John 15:9), we can live loved.
If you and I could live out of the overflowing love of God, we would live differently.
We would have a strength that generates out of knowing the deep love of a good and kind Father—a love that surpasses a need for any other type of love.
Recently my pastor made this statement that has stuck with me for days when referencing the prodigal son in Luke 15, “The delight of the dad was the source of renewal in the son. The joy of the Father became the strength of the son.”
The son is insecure and afraid until he comes to the Father and sees his disposition and experiences his love. The son was broken over his own rebellion and his irresponsible life. But the Father’s emotion made it possible for the son to live again at home.
He was able to live loved.
The tone of the Father’s love determined the destiny of His son.
The Joy of the Lord truly is our strength!
When you and I look to the love of our heavenly Father as our main source of strength and don’t rely on the world’s acceptance, we can live: above other’s expectations, and approval, experience a new outlook, and renewed optimism.
When we are struggling to find the strength to go on, we need a fresh glimpse of God.
Deuteronomy 7:9 (NLT) says this: “Understand, therefore, that the LORD your God is indeed God. He is the faithful God who keeps his covenant for a thousand generations and lavishes his unfailing love on those who love him and obey his commands.”
God loves you.
Jesus’ love covers you.
The Holy Spirit strengthens you.
Live out of the knowledge of a powerful and eternal love which is greater than all your struggles.
Living loved gives you confidence and strength beyond yourself that will allow you to walk through the uncertainties you may face—don’t do it alone. Remember, you have the love of the Father. So, “. . .be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your toil is not in vain in the Lord.” (1 Corinthians 15:58).
Journeying with Him,
Jessie