For I am convinced that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor any other created thing, will be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord. -Romans 8:38-39
I think that this scripture is a favorite for a lot of people. It seems powerful, it’s about forever love and it makes you feel like something that feels important to you is also important to God.
Plus, it means we are safe.
Seventeen years ago this week, I was an entering freshman at the University of Houston. I was moving across the country, far away from my parents. I was pretty sure I had always done what was “right” because I was afraid of what my parents would do if I didn’t. I also knew college would offer me lots of possible poor choices and I had a hunch I might lack good judgement. To sum it up, I was terrified of who I might become on my own.
Then, through a series of very fortunate events, I came to learn that God had a plan to keep me safe. If I would choose to trust Him and give Him authority in my life, He would love me and make me His own. I knew a good deal when I heard one. An omnipotent God of love was much more capable of handling my life than I ever could have been.
I now understand and know God more, and the more I know the more I love. For the first eighteen years of my life, God ached for me. I think He aches for all of His children that do not yet know Him.
When I read the parable of the lost coin and about of the pearl of great price, I see how God felt the loss for centuries after the fall of mankind. I believe Jesus didn’t die because He had to in order to bring us back to our Creator. I believe he had been waiting all that time to die so that what He had created could come home. Love is not an emotion that comes and goes for God. It is His very essence, and He is fiercely attached and devoted to His own.
We can easily be led to believe He exists for us, but in reality we exist for Him.
I am sure there have been many days when I have failed. God has probably seen me mess up a time or two hundred in seventeen years. But there is a dividing line between my day to day life choices and how He loves me. I am His daughter first. I may be a clueless, impatient daughter some days, but I am still His beloved. Nothing can end that.
If you didn’t already know, He is aching for you to come home. He is a fierce and mighty God, and you exist for Him. Loving Him is the safest risk you will ever take. If you don’t believe me, just ask Him to show you. God loves that kind of stuff.
But I trust in your unfailing love; my heart rejoices in your salvation.
– Psalm 13:5
Thank You, God, for seventeen amazing years. And thank You even more for the endless days ahead.
