Security and Jesuss

On vacation so plan to do brief reflections.

Yesterday we preached on Romans 8. One of the lines, "nothing can separate us from the love of Christ" became a central theme of my message. I think most of us do not live in a way that manifests the belief that nothing can separate us from the love of Christ. Perhaps part of the problem is we are not sure we "feel" that love. Most of us, living in the world, are divided by the "veil" which separates us from the Lord. There are some who seem more attuned. At times all of us may have a moment of clarity. Yet, too often, love is just a word, especially as applied to Jesus.

I wonder if disappointment in life is one of  the issues. Maybe we have equated the love of Christ with a wonderful life. Maybe we think the love of Christ means we will walk around in a blissful state, too joyfilled to be bothered by life's inconveniences and troubles. Maybe we think the love of Christ means we will have super powers to conquer every challenge.

Looking at the apostles, I never sense that they doubt His love. It seems that they were secure in it, yet they still floundered and struggled. Petty ego issues did not disappear ("Who is the greatest? they argued among themselves). Doubts and fears did not disappear. They still failed to heal and cast out demons, which drove Jesus to ask, "how much longer must I be with you?"

I believe life will not be totally easy, even for Christians. But I do think we can work on the faith aspect of our lives. We can pray, often, to be filled with a deep sense of that love. We can repeat the words, "nothing, nothing, nothing can ever separate me from Jesus." We can ponder what union with Him means and what it will be like in eternity in His Kingdom. We can meditate moments of deep connection which we have had and try to multiply it when applying it to Jesus. (If loving/being loved by this person is so wonderful, imagine the fulfillment of Jesus' love!)

So that is an exericse I did this morning. Praying for hours as I held and fed a little baby boy in the darkness of early morning. Repeating verses, thinking and meditating, trying to open me up to Him. Trying to be more aware of His love and His promise. It was time well spent!