He is Love
In the darkest time of my life, I experienced the overwhelming presence of Jesus’ love, which served as a constant reminder of His unwavering affection. I came to understand that His love is not contingent upon our actions; rather, it is intrinsic to His very being. He is the embodiment of love itself. Inspired by this pure love, I earnestly sought the Creator’s guidance to cultivate a new perspective – one that would enable me to view myself and others through His compassionate gaze. My desire was to wholeheartedly serve and love Him, as well as extend that same love and service to those who crossed my path, including my spouse, children, and anyone whom He brought into my life. While the prospect of eternal life with Jesus in Heaven is the ultimate gift, I also sought His transformative power to find inner peace amidst the challenges of this earthly existence. It was a gradual process, but God graciously restored my mind from a state of turmoil to a solid foundation of redemption.
"A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another. Just as I have loved you, you also love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.” (Joh 13:34-35 WEB) "Above all these things, walk in love, which is the bond of perfection." (Col 3:14 WEB)
Sea of Despair
When I cried out to God, I felt completely lost and adrift, like I was on a sinking raft in a vast, turbulent sea of despair. The waves crashed relentlessly around me, threatening to pull me under. In that desperate moment, as I poured out my heart, God responded with compassion. He sent a sturdy, new boat to rescue me, along with the Holy Spirit as my navigator and the Holy Bible as my guide for restoration.
Despite this divine assistance, I became fixated on the raging storms surrounding me. The swirling chaos of my circumstances consumed my thoughts, blinding me to the help God had already provided. As the waves loomed over me and dark clouds hung overhead, I felt utterly hopeless and began losing faith in any possibility of rescue. Then, like a miracle, Jesus calmed the rough waters and dispelled the encroaching darkness with His presence. In that moment of clarity, I suddenly realized that the new boat had been right beside me all along, patiently waiting for me to recognize it.
As the waters became calm and the sky brightened, I hastened toward the boat, feeling an overwhelming sense of relief. To my amazement, I noticed the Holy Spirit gracefully moving with me, ready to guide our journey. However, as I settled into the boat, I soon discovered that remnants of the old raft I had clung to were still weighing us down. Each of these items appeared dark and menacing, casting a shadow over my new beginning. They instinctively repelled me, reminding me of the despair I had fought so hard to escape.
In a heartfelt plea, I turned to God and questioned why these burdens continued to persist in my life, despite my longing for change. The Holy Spirit responded gently, conveying God’s understanding to me: “I have loved you even in your lowest moments, even when you held onto these burdens to avoid sinking into despair. My love for you remains steadfast, but you have grown through your trials. Now you see what I have always known: these burdens do not define you; they are simply a part of your journey. Together, we will replace these dark remnants with new spiritual truths, but this process will unfold according to My will and timing.”
Even after hearing these words, I couldn’t help but feel a sense of shame for carrying such burdens. Frustrated, I attempted to discard a small, unsightly piece of debris, only to realize it was securely attached to something much larger, profoundly intertwined with my spirit. I let out a heavy sigh as I accepted that this would not be an easy or swift journey; healing would take time. With determination, I asked the Holy Spirit, “Is there anything I can do to expedite this process?”
In response, the Holy Spirit pointed to the nearby Holy Bible. Though it had been with me on the raft, I had been so consumed by my struggles that I had overlooked its significance. Realizing this, I picked up the Bible and began reading its pages, seeking solace and understanding.
I wish that my trust in the Lord instantly flourished, but that was not the case. There were moments when life’s storms would surge once more, causing fear to grip my heart and mind. I often felt overwhelmed by the burdens I carried, and in moments of panic, I would try to steer the boat on my own. There were even occasions when it seemed like the boat might capsize, burdened by the towering waves of despair threatening to pull me back into the depths.
Each time I teetered on the edge of sinking, I would cry out to God, pleading for Him to take control of the situation or to calm the turbulent storm. And without fail, He was always faithful, answering my cries and reminding me of His unwavering presence and love.
"Yahweh is Gracious and righteous. Yes, our God is merciful. Yahweh preserves the simple. I was brought low, and he saved me. Return to your rest, my soul, for Yahweh has dealt bountifully with you. For you have delivered my soul from death, my eyes from tears, and my feet from falling." (Psa 116:5-8 WEB) "I heard a loud voice out of heaven saying, “Behold, God’s dwelling is with people, and he will dwell with them, and they will be his people, and God himself will be with them as their God. He will wipe away every tear from their eyes. Death will be no more; neither will there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain, any more. The first things have passed away.” (Rev 21:3-4 WEB)
