FALL INTO THE LOVE OF GOD

Held Through Every Season

The time is here again, that time of year when seasons change, and the theme of my article reflects and intertwines a topic with the present Thanksgiving season.

I have been reflecting a lot over the past few weeks. I have reflected on my personal journey over the past two years and how, even though it has been complex, it has God written all over it. He has been every inch a part of my experiences, frustrations, struggles, and blessings. In all my life, next to my parents, He is the one thing that is consistent and dependable, leaving me feeling that no matter what, I am not alone and that He is without a doubt reliable and safe. He is exactly what I have needed through every step. Even though He carried me through a large portion of this journey, He has yet to let me down, which unfortunately, being let down has been a common theme throughout my life. You can imagine the impact of having a God that has not come close to ever letting me down, or leaving when I needed Him the most, or has ever left me feeling not good enough or loved. He has shaped me and allowed me to grow for the better.

The One Who Never Leaves Your Side

As we reflect on all that we are grateful for at Thanksgiving, I feel it is important that we fall into the love God has for us. It is important to accomplish this without letting doubt, fear, or the unknown stop us from completely falling into the LOVE of God until we are totally engulfed in it. Romans 8:38-39 tells us, “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.” Even if we find ourselves in trial or tribulation, these verses tell us that even if self-inflicted, even if the pain is greater than what we believe we can handle, God loves us and is there to comfort us when we are hurting or struggling to be at our best. It is easy for our flesh to convince us that whatever we may be experiencing in times of trial, self-inflicted or not, that God could not possibly love us, allowing shame to tell us he could not possibly love someone who disobeyed or who has not lived a Christ-like path. But I find it more beautiful and more worth my energy to believe that “the Father of mercies and God of all comfort” (2 Cor 1:3) is on my side and willing to meet me where I am at with love and acceptance. My hope is, and will always be, that our every man, past, present, and future, who becomes part of the Jobs of Hope program will leave understanding this truth and embodying it. There is no one better to have in your corner than The One who will love you just as you are, accept your flaws and mistakes, and never stop seeing you as the precious, amazing human being that you are. The One who never leaves or forsakes you and will never be a love that is conditional on good or bad, obedient or not obedient, or right or wrong. He just LOVES, and sometimes, that is all we need to keep moving forward.

written by: Opal Hatfield

For additional information on how Jobs of Hope can guide you towards this love, click here.