Am I Convinced?

For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons,neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.~Romans 8:38-39

You are a good, good Father. Help me fall into Your love more often than I do. Help me stop trying so hard to impress You.~Sandy Pati

“Help me to stop trying so hard to impress You.”  These words included in a prayer by Sandy Pati really touched a spot in my heart today.  Actually ,  her entire devotion “God Really Likes, No Realky”,  spoke to me.  And the very fact that God placed my eyes on the words He penned through her is evidence of His love for me and many others.

God tells us in Romans 8:38-39 that nothing will separate us from the love of God.  This is a truth that I don’t think I have really allowed to settle in my soul.   I must admit that I lack confidence in knowing that no matter what that God is with me, loving me.  

Yes, I know that God is good. And Yes, I know that He is loving, but I tend to see or perceive this love through a lens of human understanding and intellect.   I realize that I operate from a stance of thinking I have to do something to earn, deserve, and keep His love.    

I keep trying to impress Him.  This is such a dangerous mindset because the enemy uses it to try to heap burdens of guilt and a sense of failure upon my shoulders.  When I think like this I don’t rest in His grace, but my strength that always fails and comes short.   It is this thinking that seeks to pull me away from the One who loves me.  The One who gave His life for me.

But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.~Romans 5:8

He died so that I would not have to twist myself in knots trying to earn or deserve something that in my own abilities is impossible.  His love is a gift.  He is the gave His love freely at Calvary and He has declared that nothing could separate me from that love, His love.  

Every morning weapons are formed to crush my spirit.  The arrows of  depression and disease want me to doubt His love for me.  I am so grateful that God does not allow those weapons to prosper.  I am grateful for His patience abs willingness to tell me over abs over again just how much He loves me until I have full confidence in the truth of His love for me.  Until I fully acknowledge the power of His love.

Father I thank You for pointing my head and heart in the right direction.  Lord, help me not to spin my wheels trying to impress You, but rather just live for You by your grace abs because of your love.   In every situation, thought or emotion may I recount your love and remember that nothing can tear me away from it.  In Jesus name. Amen