Relevant For Life-September 22 – Read: Mark 7:24-9:1 Filled —“So they ate and were filled, and they took up seven large baskets of leftover fragments. Now those who had eaten were about four thousand. And He sent them away,” Mark 8:8-9 NKJV. We met our second grandson yesterday, as our youngest son’s wife gave birth to him—and what a pretty little thing he is at less than 6 pounds. As I held him, I noticed my son hovering and practically taking him from my arms. I looked up at him and said, “It happens pretty fast doesn’t it?” He looked at me and I could tell he didn’t know what I meant. So I continued, “The desire to protect him.” He smiled and said yes, and I gave him back as I could tell he wanted to hold him so badly. Then as he went over to my daughter-in-law’s bedside, he saw her looking at him and he asked her “What?” to which she replied, “I just wanted to see him.” –and she reached out and touched him. I was reminded by this how quickly we feel great love for our children and want to protect and admire them. But we must not forget, we must understand that God feels the same way about us. His love and how He feels about us—was reflected in the eyes and hearts of these new parents—very protective and admiring—that is the same way our God feels towards us, His creation. And I was also reminded as God loves us, my son and daughter-in-law loved my grandson because he belonged to them—not because of anything he had done. Our God shows us the same thing in His grace—which is the unmerited or unearned favor and love of God. God love us simply because we are His—when we believe in Him. In our reading today we are reminded of how easy He can care for us if we only let Him. With only a few fish and seven loaves of bread Jesus fed all who were there—about four thousand. And after everyone had eaten and were satisfied, there was an abundance left over—seven large baskets of fragments. And as we also read in our reading for today, many people were healed and cared for as well—because they asked Him. But I cannot help think of those who could have had His help, but simply didn’t want it—like the Pharisees—they knew everything and didn’t need help. As I and my family are in His daily care, I often am amazed how we got along without Him for so long—and I remember our life with less peace and joy. I think of how often my children speak of His care for Him. Then I think of those who do not have Him in their life—those who refuse Him and I am saddened. Saddened for so many who have died and missed out—who could have been personally cared for by Him, if they had only asked Him—if only they had allowed Him to love them like any good parent would. But I have hope for those who it is still possible for—for those still to come, for those who will turn to Him. Who will embrace His love and reflect it back out there in their life. Jesus took personal care of those who followed Him just as He still does. And like parents, God will always have love for His children—despite how we sometimes treat Him, He loves us still—He loves us despite our flaws. And although we can forget He is there, or even sometimes push Him away, like parents, He is still there … waiting, waiting for us to return to Him. Our God wants only to care for us—to fill us—if only we would allow Him too. “For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world, and loses his own soul? Or what will a man give in exchange for his soul?” Mark 8:36-37 NKJV.
Posted on: Mon, 23 Sep 2013 14:37:08 +0000
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