One of the most touching experiences is when God gives us a glimpse of how much He loves someone. That has happened to me quite a few times. It is as if He draws back the curtain for a moment and you feel deep in your soul just how much He loves someone before you even get to know them. That happened to me recently. Twice.
I saw a young man in church at CFC Caldwell one Sunday morning sitting on the opposite side of the row in front of me. As I saw him, I immediately felt God’s love (and also His sorrow) for the young man. God gave me a short word of encouragement and after service I went over, hugged him, and told him how much God loved him. He was struggling. We prayed then and God has led me to pray for him ever since.
I met another young man at CFC Middleton. Immediately I felt God’s love (and also His joy) over this man. I have seen him several times since and every time, my heart is overwhelmed with love and joy. I know in my spirit just a small portion of that overwhelming, never-ending, reckless love that God has for him. I know that God is going to lead him to great things on the Middleton campus.
“Look at how great a love the Father has given us that we should be called God’s children.” [1 John 3:1 HCSB]
John reminds us to “look” at that great love that the Father has given us. We are to see people, those struggling and those on the verge of great things, as God’s children.
As I am writing this, an odd thought arose … maybe as we look in the mirror, we should see one of God’s children looking back … whether we are struggling or whether we are on the verge of great things … and embrace God’s great love for that one in the mirror too.
