Jesus, Jesus, Jesus

Sweetest name I know. I just fall in love over and over again. I cannot see Him, I cannot touch Him, I cannot see His face, but I know He is there. I know because He has always been there. He will always be there. He knew me before I was even formed in the womb (Psalm 139:13). He created me and He loved me so much that He sent His only Son to die for me. Yes, I am talking about God and His Son Jesus. This love for my Savior is overwhelming and all-consuming. I have found that when you pursue God, when you give Him everything you have, when you give Him complete control, He will give you a peace beyond all understanding. He gives you all of Him. He doesn't hold anything back and He has written you an amazing love letter (the Bible) that tells you His past, His present and what He has in store for your future. A future that can be spent eternally with Him. 

However, life does not become easy. It does not become pain-free or stress less. I believe it becomes harder. I believe there is suffering involved. I believe it requires a daily surrendering of yourself to God and His authority and Lordship. I believe what Jesus told his disciples-that you have to die to self, pick up your cross and follow Him (see Matthew 16:24, Luke 9:23). In fact, He demands it . He tells us in Matthew 10:38, "Whoever does not take up his cross and follow me is not worthy of me." Jesus is beyond worthy. He died for me and for you. He didn't just die easily, He suffered through beatings, verbal assaults, was tortured-for my sins and for yours. 

What God has really impressed upon me as Easter approaches is that Jesus was separated from God-truly forsaken-for me, for you. We will never have to be forsaken by God because Jesus was-He became sin, He became our substitute, He became the living sacrifice. His relationship with God was completely cut off because of my sin. That is how much he loves me and you. However, death could not hold him. The grave could not defeat Him. He rose again on the 3rd day defeating death, overcoming the grave, ascending to sit beside God on the throne. 

This world hurts. The evil can be overwhelming. The pain crushing. Satan attacks over and over again-especially as we grow closer to God. I have my days where I wonder what God could possibly be doing and why things aren't happening like I want them too. I become angry and depressed at times. That is when I know Satan is smiling and thinking he finally has me where he wants me. BUT-the bottom line is I make a choice to believe, to have faith, that God knows! He knows what is best for me. He is sovereign. He is working all things out for my good and His glory. He loves me more than I can imagine. He asks me to trust and believe. As I sit here I find myself asking- Lord how can I not? 

He is my Prince of Peace, my Lord of Lords, my King of Kings! He can be yours too! 

Linking with Inspire Me Monday