Consider the following scripture truths:
Daily He bears our burdens (Psalm 68:19)
The Spirit of God jealously longs for our spirit (James 4:5)
My people have forgotten me days without number…(Jeremiah 2:32)
He came down in the cool of the day and walked among them. (Genesis 3:8)
He sent His son Jesus to take our place…
Consider how God takes the first step towards you and me.
HE initiates- HE steps first in the relationship.
When we were lost and at the peak of our sin HE sent his son wrapped in flesh and carried our sorrows and griefs and sin and… died. HE did that. He has always taken the first step. He reaches out His hand as if we were Peter sinking in the waters. He sought them on the beach and HE had the food ready (John 21). They just had to recognize it was Him – Jesus – God with them – and accept the invitation. And then, He welcomed each one. He did not remind Peter – who had cursed him from a nearby position in denial – of that sin and rejection – but accepted him and in fact elevated him to a new status – the shepherd…”Peter, if you love me, feed my sheep.”
What has he shown us in all of these relationships? He wants a relationship with each one of us.
I once stood looking through a second-floor window at 800+ students filling the hallways below. I looked up and said, “Lord why don’t you with one sweeping move just save all of us at one time?” The response the Spirit of God said quietly to me was this, “I created them individually, I love them individually, and I want to win them individually, one at a time. Love each one of them personally, individually.”
Our role in relationships is to love each person one at a time. To take time for them… to spend time with them. And here is the kicker. This doesn’t change because we receive nothing in return. Or in fact, when we are disliked, despised, or maligned. They mocked Jesus but he did not retaliate. They insulted him but he did not respond in kind. They beat him and yet he maintained purpose, knowing God called him to the cross. The only way for Jesus to truly win each person was to endure the pain and suffering, fully trusting God to win them. His role was to go to the cross where he said, “Father forgive them, they do not know what they’re doing.”
Jesus died for all, and seeks us all one at a time, knowing us intimately, caring for us personally, believing in us and our potential in spite of our failures. He believes the next move we make, the next direction and decision can be great!
The crux of the matter is this: He has made every move and taken every step to secure a love for us that will sustain, provide for us and release us to do the same for others. We get this handed to us in a one-to-one relationship with Him as we seek Him daily. He waits to speak with us, fill us, renew our minds through the love of His word, and simply walk with us. Take time to get to know His voice, His presence, His deep, unrelenting love for you. Instead of getting a snack from His table, sit down for a grand meal – and while you dine with Him – look into His eyes – see His face – and know the immense, extreme love He has for you personally, one-to-one.
Written by: Jeff Henderson/ 99:1 Ministries
Published on: April 2, 2021