Episode 44: Accepting Divine Love
Despite his belief in the love of God, Terry Lees admits he once harboured the feeling that he did not always deserve that love, that he was not worthy, nor had he earned it. Terry saw himself as a sinner and, in truth, unable to fully accept that God could love him unconditionally, unreservedly.
Terry could look to the man on the Cross and feel forgiveness yet could not – or would not – fully understand the depth of the meaning of the Cross.
By the grace of God, that changed. Join Terry in Silver Linings as he outlines the slow, imperceptible process of change and conversion, which led to major transformation.
Listen to the episode below, or continue on to read the transcript.
Episode Transcript:
At some stage something happened in my life! I can’t pinpoint when it happened, for it was a slow, imperceptible process of change and conversion. Yet, happen it did. And what it means is: I can’t stop thinking about, or writing about, the extent of God’s love for us, for all humanity, for all creation.
I can’t help but see God everywhere I look, in everything I see all around me. And I am compelled to share it wherever and however I can.
In looking back across my life, it wasn’t as if I didn’t believe in God’s love, because I did see God as Love. The childhood image of God as the punisher, ready to strike me down with a bolt of lightning from the blue whenever I was naughty, was one deserted long ago, dismissed as complete myth, total fantasy.
Still, despite my belief in the love of God, there remained deep within the feeling I did not always deserve that love, that I was not worthy, nor had I earned it. I saw myself as a sinner and, in truth, unable to fully accept that God could love me unconditionally, unreservedly.
I could look to the man on the Cross and feel forgiveness yet could not – or would not – fully understand the depth of the meaning of the Cross.
By the grace of God, that changed.
The spark planted within me was gradually fanned into a flame that set my heart on fire, leading to the opening of my eyes, ears, hands and heart and I received the truth of God’s real, persistent presence in my life and the extent of God’s divine love for me. The reality of the Cross struck home to me.
The Cross, an instrument of death is, for all humanity, an icon of hope. Just as Moses lifted up a bronze serpent on a wooden pole for his people to look upon and be cured of snake bites, so too was Jesus, the Son of Man, lifted up on the Cross for us gaze upon and be healed of our sins. And because of that loving sacrifice, God the Father promised “I shall forgive their guilt and never more call their sin to mind” [Jeremiah 31:34]. We have been washed clean by the blood of the Lamb!
Love did not die on that Cross. To the contrary, the death of Jesus on the Cross is absolute proof of the undying love God has for us. When Jesus suffered and died on the Cross, he eliminated the debt owed by humankind—the debt of sin. Our sins were forgiven, once and for all; our debt to God was paid in full. Jesus reconciled us to the Father. We are not worthy, yet Jesus made us worthy. It was a gift given freely, the gift of unconditional love.
Jesus went like a Lamb to the slaughter so that “your guilt is taken away and your sin is atoned for” [Isaiah 6:7]. Not only are we forgiven, but we are also redeemed – saved.
Seeing through the eyes of my heart I was converted; I could see anew.
Although transformation can occur in an instant, for most of us it is a journey. Nor does transformation make us totally different people. It is about an inner movement, the gaining of awareness to look more deeply within, to see who we truly are and then to live our lives authentically, being the people God sees us to be.
Jesus taught that the Father and he were always working (John 5:17), and so too is the Spirit of God who dwells within us.
God does not leave nor distance himself from us. Rather, God constantly seeks to transform our lives to awaken us to the divine presence and the divine love which is the source of the universe.
Grace is a free gift from God and all is grace. It is not earned, nor is it deserved. It is of God and grace ultimately wins.
When God spoke through the prophet Jeremiah, a covenant was established between God and humanity. “Deep within them I will plant my law, writing it on their hearts. Then I will be their God and they will be my people” [Jeremiah 31:33].
God wants us to surrender to that love, to trust in that love, to accept that love, to believe that love. God loves us unconditionally, warts and all!
God wants us to know God loves us – no strings attached!
Allow God’s love to fill our hearts. Accept the love of God and allow it to radiate to others. It is our duty and responsibility as baptised sons and daughters of God to share what we are given with others.
Let go and let God.
Have a golden day and treasure life!
And look for the Silver Lining.
This is Terry Lees
[Music: For the Love of God – Kenny Rogers]