Pastor Dale Benson
"We loved more when we knew less."
Think about that for a second. I think that quote plays itself out within a lot of our lives. Let's think about how much that statement is true about most of our relationships. It is a lot easier to love before we know everything about a person, even if that person is us. Or especially when that person is us.
In fact, many of us are afraid to let people know who we are. Not only because we are afraid they won't like us, but because deep down, we know we don't like those things about ourselves either. Part of our problem is that we project how we feel and act. We expect others to act like we think and feel about others... or about us.
Sometimes we project our feelings on God as well. Many of us have a view of God and His love for us as though His love is conditional. I am afraid that we view God a bit like the American colonies viewed King George, or at least how Lin Manuel viewed King George in "Hamilton."
But, you see, God is not at all like King George. He is not waiting to send an armed battalion of His angels to remind us of His love. This is what is so amazing about the Easter Story. God loved us so much that He left heaven to come and live among us. He walked the path of redemption for us because we could not do it ourselves.
Revelation 1:18 (NLT)
- He did this with full knowledge of who we were, who we are, and who we are going to be. He knows our weaknesses. He knows our failures. He knows our shortcomings. Yet His love for us remains steadfast and secure and strong.
While I do believe we need to enter following Him with sincerity, I also know that we cannot know what our entire life is going to look like...But God does. He knows your weaknesses. He knows your shortcomings. He knows the sins you have committed, the sins you are committing, and the sins you will be committing, but He loves you anyway. He knew all those things when He died for you on the cross.
Romans 5:8 (NLT)
- He knew all those things and He died for you anyway. God's love for us does not change, despite what He knows about us.
Why? He created you for so much more than you are living right now. He came and lived among us to let you know that He created you for so much more. He died and came back with the keys to death and hell because you could not - you cannot. But He did because He has made you for so much more. He loves you! He has the keys... The gates have been opened for you. You are not a prisoner anymore. The question that remains is "are you willing to walk out of the cell He has already opened for you?” Are you willing to walk in the peace and love that comes with freedom from your sins, and freedom to live fully in the love He has for you?
You and I were made for more.
