I am Convinced

Convinced. Confident. Unshakeable.

When I think of being convinced, I would say there are certain opinions I hold dear by which I am convinced.  I am convinced that coffee is necessary when having dessert. I am convinced that the Cubs are the greatest baseball franchise in history.  I am convinced that the book is always better than to movie, to name a few.

When I think of all the things I am certain of in this life there are many who may agree to disagree on aforementioned items, some may even be able to persuade me to believe otherwise. However, one thing that I know for sure is that my confidence in who God is can not be shaken.

“And I am convinced that nothing can ever separate us from God’s love. Neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons,[p] neither our fears for today nor our worries about tomorrow—not even the powers of hell can separate us from God’s love. 39 No power in the sky above or in the earth below—indeed, nothing in all creation will ever be able to separate us from the love of God that is revealed in Christ Jesus our Lord.”

For I am convinced… this verse has always meant one thing to me.  There was no way that God would ever take his love away from me. Nothing that I do is ever bad enough, ever big enough to make God turn his back on me.  That is how much God loves me. This morning as I was worshiping I realized that love is a two street.

You would think I would know that.  I have been married for 17 years, I can definitely tell you it has taken the love of both Matt and myself to make it through these years.  We have had the opportunity this year to be a part of 10 weddings...12 when it’s all said and done. We spend time talking to each couple about honoring and loving one another.  We always encourage them that it takes both of them laying down their personal preferences in order to come together as one.

For these reasons it shouldn’t have been a surprise to me when I realized that not only could nothing separate me from God’s love for me, but nothing can separate Him from my love for him. I guess maybe I have always had the mindset that my part isn’t that important, but it is.  I realized today that no matter what happens in my life, I will never stop loving God, I will never turn my back on him, I will never walk away. I have come too far, I know too much, I have seen God do so much and be so faithful, I could never walk away.

I have often wondered to myself if there was a circumstance that would cause me to turn away from the love of my Father.  No, there is not. I haven’t gone through every difficult situation, I haven’t lost everything like Job, I haven’t seen war and famine, but I know God. I know that a life of pain and struggle with Jesus is far better than living that life alone.

I have had the privilege of walking with people who are hurting for the past 19 years.  When I said yes to ministry I didn’t anticipate all the pain. I didn’t understand the part of the “job” that is the first call for the most difficult situations in life. I have to say, as difficult as it has been, it has also built my faith.  I have watched people rise in the midst of destruction, I have seen people lean into their relationship with Jesus in the most painful seasons of life and God has never failed. Having been a part of those times I could never walk away. What a hypocrite I would be.

Now when I read that I am convinced...nothing can separate me from the love of Jesus I realize this is a faith declaration.  I am convinced. I am certain. I am confident. One of the most painful things in life is to watch people turn their backs on Jesus.  I take it personally. I know I shouldn’t, but it pains me to see people choose to go their own way. Whether it is busyness, selfishness or pain that turns them away, my heart hurts. Life is hard whatever way you choose to live it, there is always the struggle.  A life of struggle lived alone is way more difficult to walk through than a life lived with the power of the living God on the inside.

I can’t help but think if I am hurting this badly over a hardened heart, how much more does it hurt the heart of Jesus, the one who bled and died for each one of us.  

Are you convinced in the love of God today?  If not, I hope that you would pray for confidence in His love, assurity of who God is in your life.  

Worship suggestion: 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w4OphVQT3sI