Broken, Yet Deeply Loved


       
Sometimes life can be hard and disappointing. Maybe a relationship with a spouse is difficult right now. Maybe there is a sibling rivalry or a parent has disappointed us. No matter which relationship it is, we are called to love and forgive.

Songs and movies say, "You complete me." The funny thing is that no person or thing can complete us because we were made to be completed by God. We live in a broken world with broken, imperfect people, churches, and possessions. No matter how hard we try, we can never be that perfect person that will make everyone we know happy.

That's why Ruth Graham says, "A happy marriage is the union of two good forgivers." I would go on to add that "Happy relationships and churches are made up of merciful forgivers." If we expect someone or something to be all that we want and need, we will be disappointed and dissatisfied.... so why not forgive and leave room for others' short comings and love them anyway.

This is what God did for us! He forgave us while we were still sinners. He didn't wait for us to say sorry when he sent Christ to die on our behalf. We weren't even born yet.

James 1:18 "In his goodness he chose to make us his own children by giving us his true word. And we, out of all creation, became his choice possession."

What a great revelation! We are God's choice possession! Some days it may feel like we are no ones prized possession. But God proved to us how much He loved us as His treasure, through word and deed on the cross. We can choose to do the same thing, to love and forgive each other.

2 Corinthians 4:7 "We now have this light shining in our hearts, but we ourselves are like fragile clay jars containing this great treasure. This makes it clear that our great power is from God, not from ourselves."