Lori and I just gave birth to our son, Jeremiah. Let’s be real: Lori gave birth as I watched.
Since then I have felt inexpressible joy; along with extreme exhaustion!
The idea of caring for and molding the life of a child is overwhelming to say the least. It’s the greatest privilege and most daunting responsibly I have. With that said, I love it!
As I sit holding him I can’t help but wonder if God looks at us the way I look at my newborn son.
- There is nothing he can do to change our relationship; I am his father and he is my son.
- I love him and take great delight in him. I am proud to be his father.
- His sonship is inherited and was nothing he worked to gain, thus my love for him has nothing to do with what he does for me.
All this reminds me of my standing with God and all that has been done on my behalf; not based on my merit, but because of his love. The same is true for each of us. Here are a few of those reminders of what has been done for us.
You see, at just the right time, when we were still powerless, Christ died for the ungodly.
Romans 5:6
We were powerless while he did what we couldn’t! Or how about this little nugget:
For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— not by works, so that no one can boast.
Ephesians 2:8-9
I love my son because he is my own; not because he has done anything to earn my love or affection. In the same way, God loves you because you are his. His radical grace in your life has nothing to do with you; it’s entirely about him. That is both humbling and freeing. Once again, that’s how God intended it.
It’s humbling because there is nothing you can do to earn your favor with him, but freeing because you don’t have to try!
As Creed Bratton, my favorite character in The Office says, “I already won the lottery, I was born in the U.S. of A., baby!”
We won the lottery. We are children of God! Soak that up and quit trying so hard. Instead, like an infant, rest assured that God is good. He will take care of you, just place your whole trust in him.
What’s holding you back?