How He Loves

It was the summer of 1987 - I was in Mombasa, Kenya at a Missionary retreat. Wow - almost 25 years ago ... no wonder I don't remember much about that week or the retreat itself. I couldn't tell you what hotel we stayed at. I don't remember who all was there. I couldn't even tell you what we did each day or even if we did anything except chill at the pool. I do remember one night, though. Interesting ... 25 years ago and I remember that night like it was last night.

All of us missionary kids were together for our own service. I have no idea what the worship was like that night or even if we had any; and I couldn't tell you who the speaker was or even give you a clue as to what he spoke about. It was the end of the service - that's what I remember. We were all gathered in prayer ... not sure why or about what, but there we were. I remember that night so well, because that was the night God spoke to me about how much He loved me! I know it's so simple, right? Of course, God loves us ... we all know that, don't we? Oh, but this night was different. I don't know that I can really tell you why except to tell you that it just was. It was as if God showed up to tell me that. Not that I heard it from someone, but that I heard it from Him. And that He would tell me that? I'm thinking He's coming to tell me all that's wrong with my life. I'm thinking He's coming to tell me that I need to do more. And instead, He says to me ... Denny, I love you! In fact it went further. That night, I knew God spoke to my heart that if even if it was just me that needed a Savior, He still would have sent Jesus to die. Even if for just me! Maybe that's what it made it so different, so special. Not that God so loved the world that He sent His Son ... but that He loved even just me that much!

Right there in front of every one, I began to cry ... weep, is probably the better word. I couldn't help it and I couldn't stop it. Obviously, it wasn't that something was wrong; instead, it was that in that moment everything was so perfectly right ... because God loved me! I remember our leader asking me what was going on. Through sobs and gasping breaths, I told him what God had told me. I don't know if it meant the same to him or the rest of the MK's as it did to me - I don't think it did. It probably sounded a little simple, maybe even a little silly - me getting so worked up over something so obvious. Not to me though. To me, it was one of those life-changing moments. I guess, as indicated by this blog, it was one of those moments that I feel worth talking about even 25 years after the fact. Those few moments and those three words from God - it means that much to me!

And so then, I share with you today what God shared with me then ... He loves you! Do you know that? I mean, do you really know that? Have you thought about it much lately? I know you've been busy thinking about all you should be doing for God. I know sometimes it's hard to think about anything other than how we've let Him down or messed things up. A thousand things we perhaps think of when we think of God ... but how about the simple reality of this: He loves you! Now you say it ... God loves me! Remind yourself of that every time you consider the regrets of your past, every time you start to count up the number of mistakes you've made, every time you're reminded of how you didn't measure up - how you didn't do what you should have done or weren't the person you should have been ... in fact, why don't you just remind yourself of that all the time!

For today, for this week, for a new pattern in your day to day living ... take some time to let God speak to you. I think you'll find He has lots to say ... I think you'll be surprised and overwhelmed like I was when the first thing and the last thing and sometimes the only thing He says: I love you!

Know that He loves you ... and why not remind someone today that He loves them, too!