He Loves Me. He Loves Me Not.
Blast from the past! If you’re a guy – you probably don’t remember this whimsical, girly activity, but I’ll bet, one time or another, my fellow starry-eyed, girl-friends remember. We took a flower (usually a daisy or a rose) and proceeded to pluck off one petal at a time and repeated the words: “He loves me; He loves me not”. That activity helped us dream that cute boy loved us, or (sigh) did not! That little non-sensical, but playful game gave us hope that we would be loved.
Now I segue to a love that is far greater and a much bigger deal than the attraction we had for that cute guy! God is crazy in love with us. Proof-positive is found in John 3:16 “For GOD SO LOVED the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever (that’s YOU and ME) believes in Him, will never perish but have eternal life.” Jeremiah 31:3 emphasizes His love, even more, “I have loved you with a love that lasts forever!” And, as in that beautiful old song, “The 12th of Never”, FOREVER is a long, long time!
God’s acceptance and love for is real. Oh, yes, Jesus loves me. This I know. Because the Bible tells me so! We don’t have to play He loves me . . . He loves me not. In our relationship with Him, we know He loves us! Every page of the Bible says HE LOVES ME. But, still we often treat His love like that “He loves me; He loves me not” game.It’s like this:I get a job promotion – He loves me.I get a flat tire – He loves me not.I get a check in the mail I wasn’t expecting – He loves me.I sprain my ankle – He loves me not.I am given a new cell phone — He loves me.I drop my new cell phone and the screen cracks — He loves me not.
No matter how our day goes or even how our life goes – no matter the ups and downs – the sweet surprises or the disappointments — no matter whether we feel sad or glad; God’s love is unconditional (unlike those cute boys who were here today, and gone tomorrow). God is with us. He has plans for us beyond our greatest imaginations. Jeremiah 29:11 “For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” Let’s throw away those flowers and emphatically believe and know “…how deep, how wide and long is the love of Christ.” (Ephesians 3:18).
HE LOVES ME! HE LOVES ME! HE LOVES ME!