Saturday, July 31, 2010

God Embraces Me

"But I trust in your unfailing love; my heart rejoices in your salvation. I will sing to the Lord, for he has been good to me." -- Psalm 13:5-6

Sometimes I feel a gully between me and God. I don't spend enough time with Him. Life's challenges draw me away and fill my mind and my heart with worries and concerns. God feels distant, like He belongs to someone else.

Then He nudges me and I remember. I belong to Him. I'm the one who has drifted away. He's been right there all the time. Waiting. Ready to pull me close again. Which is where I belong.

See God didn't just create mankind. He created me. He delights in me. He loves me. Yeah, I know. He loves you too. But this is about my relationship with my Heavenly Father. It's personal and intimate. It's full of my dependence on Him and His grace when He looks at me.

It's so easy to get caught up in the overview of christianity. We read about people and places. We believe the miracles and Jesus' death on the cross. And we know it's for us. All of us. But that sort of thing keeps God at a distance. It makes Him all about everyone and not about me. Do you know what I mean?

God desires to have a personal relationship with each of us. He wants to draw us close, to hear our voices as we talk with Him. He doesn't just view us as a bunch of humans He created. We are each unique and He loves us for who we are as individuals.

When I draw close to God, when I reach out to Him, I remember all that He has done for me. Not you or even us. What He has done for me. The times He has been there when no one else was. The times He has carried me through grief so deep I didn't think I could survive. And He has been there when I celebrated and danced with joy. Always, through every event in my life -- big or small -- He has been there. I love Him so.

I place my trust in the love He gives to me. He is there for me. I reach out and He grabs hold of me. My Father. My Savior. My Creator. My everything. Thank you.