I read a great book last week called "Do You Think I'm Beautiful" by Angela Thomas. I'm not a good summarizer, so I won't even try. But, it is a great book... trust me!
One thing that got me thinking (and kind of socked me in the stomach), was near page 105, where she talks about women who think they are "no longer worthy." This is exactly what the prodigal son says to his father in Luke 15-
"The son said to him, 'Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son."
Angela Thomas argues that we are not good enough and never will be. But our worth comes from BELONGING to Jesus Christ. That's it. We can do nothing to be worthy of Jesus' love.
Angela goes on to say that she's seen lives stay paralyzed in the land of "no longer worthy."
I love how God gave us the parallel of His relationship to us as our relationship to our children.
Isn't this true of our children (and a good reminder)-- we love them because they belong to us, not because they clean their rooms. And sometimes, we can slip into this. But, if we are going to attempt to portray Jesus' love for us, shouldn't our love come pouring out because they belong to us-- an unconditional love that they cannot earn (and should not have to)?
And not only is God's love for us a perfect, merciful love, but He reminds us over and over again how He has His grip on us so tight that NOTHING can separate us from His love.
"For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, 39neither 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."
So, we should aim to stop do, do, doing and thinking that this is why He loves us or that this makes Him love us more and start enjoying Him and His love for us. May we mirror this to our children also. May they rest in the security of His love and ours.
One thing that got me thinking (and kind of socked me in the stomach), was near page 105, where she talks about women who think they are "no longer worthy." This is exactly what the prodigal son says to his father in Luke 15-
"The son said to him, 'Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son."
Angela Thomas argues that we are not good enough and never will be. But our worth comes from BELONGING to Jesus Christ. That's it. We can do nothing to be worthy of Jesus' love.
Angela goes on to say that she's seen lives stay paralyzed in the land of "no longer worthy."
I love how God gave us the parallel of His relationship to us as our relationship to our children.
Isn't this true of our children (and a good reminder)-- we love them because they belong to us, not because they clean their rooms. And sometimes, we can slip into this. But, if we are going to attempt to portray Jesus' love for us, shouldn't our love come pouring out because they belong to us-- an unconditional love that they cannot earn (and should not have to)?
And not only is God's love for us a perfect, merciful love, but He reminds us over and over again how He has His grip on us so tight that NOTHING can separate us from His love.
"For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, 39neither 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."
So, we should aim to stop do, do, doing and thinking that this is why He loves us or that this makes Him love us more and start enjoying Him and His love for us. May we mirror this to our children also. May they rest in the security of His love and ours.
1 comment:
I'm excited to do the book club with you! :)
~k
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