How Deep the Father's Love for Us

How deep the Father's love for us,

How vast beyond all measure

That He should give His only Son

To make a wretch His treasure

How great the pain of searing loss,

The Father turns His face away

As wounds which mar the chosen One,

Bring many sons to glory

Behold the Man upon a cross,

My sin upon His shoulders

Ashamed I hear my mocking voice,

Call out among the scoffers

It was my sin that held Him there

Until it was accomplished

His dying breath has brought me life

I know that it is finished

I will not boast in anything

No gifts, no power, no wisdom

But I will boast in Jesus Christ

His death and resurrection

Why should I gain from His reward?

I cannot give an answer

But this I know with all my heart

His wounds have paid my ransom 

(Lyrics- S.Townsend)

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A friend of mine used to have a plethora of books in her powder room. The books ranged from gossip magazines to other light reading. I always looked forward to excusing myself to "powder my nose" so I could spend a few blissful minutes alone reading books and or magazines that I, more than likely, did not own myself. (As a mom of 2 girls ages 3 and under, I'll take what I can get!). 

My friend always had a stash of the "Chicken Soup for the Soul" books on hand. They have so many versions now, it boggles the mind: Chicken Soup for the Teacher's Soul, Chicken Soup for the Mother's Soul, Chicken Soup for guys named Bob who have estranged Aunts name 'Beverely'... Ok, maybe not the last one, but you get the point! I remember when these books first came out, they were all the rage. I could p-shhaw them to you now, but I would be lying if I said that I think the books are cheesy and pointless. Some of the stories ARE a bit out-there...but a few of them have stuck with me. 

One that stands out to me is the story of a mom who walked in on her toddler hanging over the edge of her baby sister's crib during baby's nap time. The mom, though compelled to rush in so the toddler wouldn't disturb the baby, decided instead to stay behind the half-cracked door and watch what was unfolding. The toddler was whispering to her little sister who was staring up at her with bright eyes. When the mom was finally able to hone in on what the toddler was saying in hushed tones, she caught her breath...The little girl whispered, "Baby, what does God look like? Do you remember, because I'm forgetting...."

I've read it a few times, and each time I read it, something always catches in my throat. Maybe because I can actually imagine stumbling upon my own girls in a similar scene, or maybe because, sometimes....I forget too. Though I wouldn't rely on this story as a sort of doctrinal belief about where and if we exist prior to life on earth, the story has always driven home the idea that it doesn't matter if we know God... there are many times, too many times in our lives, that we forget that we know Him. Life happens- we are here on earth, making decisions, working jobs, having relationships, experiencing struggles, joys, sorrows and yet- where is God? 

The truth is, God is here. Because of our fallen state, we are separated from the very lover of our souls- our Creator, our Redeemer, our Friend. The utter separation of sin leaves us in a pretty sad state. Sure, we can scrape ourselves together, try to pretend that education, careers, parenting, friendships and other distracting things are "enough"...but who are we kidding? When life slows down, or heaven forbid, tragedy strikes, we realize, we are alone. Don't get me wrong, I love Randy, and I love my children...but there are times when life slows just enough to remember that if I didn't have them in my life---what would I have? We weren't meant to live in isolation. Sin has created it. This very fact makes God's grace so amazing. We are destined to live an eternal life of separation and suffering...unless we believe, repent and surrender to the one who has made a way for us....the one who SO loved us, that He gave us His Son. 

I have thought of this a lot lately. Here we are, removed from our families and all that we have known and enjoyed over the last several years of our lives...and I'm struggling. I LOVE being home with my girls, but we don't have family here to really enjoy them ALONGSIDE of us. This new stage of life has been extremely difficult for me to navigate. Perhaps I was born to live in an Amish community, or even grow up in China where generations live together in one house.... or maybe not, but I can definitely see the appeal! We live in a society where we are told to "be all that we can be" and be whatever we want to be when we "grow up". It's no wonder people change their majors an average of 3 times during the course of their college years. Aren't we all longing for identity, love, relationship...that place to belong? 

Perhaps the identity that we are really struggling to find isn't who we are in the "world", what kind of job we are supposed to have, etc....but a creation of God- an image-bearer who, by Jesus' sacrifice, has an eternal identity. We long to love and be loved in return.

Have you ever experienced loss or sorrow, or disappointment? If we, in our fallen human state, experience earthly pains, trials, etc...if we are able to experience human love- love for friends, family, souses and children, imagine how God our Father views us?

I John 4 reminds us: 9 In this the love of God was made manifest among us, that God sent his only Son into the world, so that we might live through him. 10 In this is love, not that we have loved God but that he loved us and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins.

How easy it is to forget this. God loves US. Because of His love for us, we are able to know and abide in Him. It's not by merit, by works or anything else. This is really what is meant by the term "Amazing Grace". His love and grace are what ENABLE us to love Him to begin with. No more pain, no more sorrow, no more isolation...no more sin.

Randy went to a Pastor's Conference last spring in Cleveland. It was hosted at Parkside church in Cleveland under the ministry of Allistair Begg. The theme was "Preaching the Gospel to Yourself Everyday". What a concept. Pastors, of all people, preaching to...themselves?? It is SO true! We need to be reminded DAILY of who God is, what He has done for us, and who we are in relation to these facts. This is what makes attending church so very important. We need to hear the Word of God preached. We need the Gospel- the TRUE Gospel presented, and we need to be amidst a loving community of believers who can REMIND us of these things. 

I haven't arrived. I feel like I am just now scratching the surface, even after 28 years of life, most of which was spent in church and christian school. Have you forgotten? Let God speak to you through His Word today. Call up a friend or loved one and remind them of what we are living for and Who made that possible.