The Reckless Love of God

So many of my dear friends are struggling. The storms in their lives are plentiful and powerful. Sometimes as a friend, I feel as if I can’t help but then I remember that there is nothing more powerful than God’s love. It’s overwhelming, it’s constant, it never waivers. If I could take on their burdens, I would. If I could share the peace and joy that I feel each day, I would. I often ask God to give them my portion of joy, of peace, of calm. God has just been so good to me in these 63 years. He was good to me even when I chose to do life my way instead of letting go and surrendering to His.

These past eight months have been revealing as I sought God to figure out what His purpose was for me in this life. I asked, I knocked, I sought. In the midst of it I stepped away from a job I loved. Why? He asked me to. He made it clear that I wasn’t supposed to be in that place at that time. He also reminded me that once again, I had plunged head first into something while not getting approval from Him. I never asked Him because I assumed that since the job offer was coming from my church it was right. There’s been a lot of learning since then, for me and others. In December, after returning to daily Bible study, not just merely reading the Word. It was clear that the Lord wanted me to read Genesis, a book I’ve read countless times in my life. This time however, it was alive for me. The words, the meaning, the foreshadowing of a Savior opened up before my eyes. I found myself in a new place. It was quiet, peaceful and filled with confidence that no matter what, God has my back. From there, I continued to seek, continued to dwell on His Word. In January of 2025, a discipleship group of women started at church. What book did we start with? Genesis. It’s been such a blessing to read and share with these women of faith. Each of us at a different place in our own personal walk. Because you see, that’s what it’s all about: A PERSONAL walk with Christ. A journey of getting to know God the Father intimately.

It’s not about how many things you volunteer to do at church. It’s not about having perfect attendance for Sunday service or how much you put into the offering plates. It’s always been and it will always be about a relationship with Jesus. God wants us to know Him. We say it in church often, “You don’t find God. God chose you from the beginning.”

My heart breaks for my friends who are dealing with heartbreak over children, relationships, jobs, health but I give it to God because I know He has it all under control. It won’t be easy. It’s never easy to watch people hurt. My prayer is that they too can reach the peace that I feel. When something hard, or sudden slams into our lives and instead of spiraling, we catch our breath and say,

““I’m giving it to you Lord. I’m leaving it at the foot of the cross and believing with every fiber of my being, that You are in control. I will move forward in faith, serving you and expressing joy for all the good You’ve done, all the promises You’ve kept and all the times You’ve picked me up and carried me through this life.” ”

Today, I’ve been praying Psalm 147 over my friends, their families, their health, their relationships, and their jobs. Through these past few months as I was seeking God to know my purpose, He laid it out before me through the lives of my friends. My purpose is prayer and words. Personally, I don’t think I can speak well at all. As an introvert, I still panic when called on to pray out-loud. But it’s not me, it’s Christ in me and His Spirit that guides me as I pray. Prayer is powerful. Prayer absolutely works.

Praise the Lord.

1How good it is to sing praises to our God,
    how pleasant and fitting to praise him!

2 The Lord builds up Jerusalem;
    he gathers the exiles of Israel.
3 He heals the brokenhearted
    and binds up their wounds.
4 He determines the number of the stars
    and calls them each by name.
5 Great is our Lord and mighty in power;
    his understanding has no limit.
6 The Lord sustains the humble
    but casts the wicked to the ground.

7 Sing to the Lord with grateful praise;
    make music to our God on the harp.

8 He covers the sky with clouds;
    he supplies the earth with rain
    and makes grass grow on the hills.
9 He provides food for the cattle
    and for the young ravens when they call.

10 His pleasure is not in the strength of the horse,
    nor his delight in the legs of the warrior;
11 the Lord delights in those who fear him,
    who put their hope in his unfailing love.

12 Extol the Lord, Jerusalem;
    praise your God, Zion.

13 He strengthens the bars of your gates
    and blesses your people within you.
14 He grants peace to your borders
    and satisfies you with the finest of wheat.

15 He sends his command to the earth;
    his word runs swiftly.
16 He spreads the snow like wool
    and scatters the frost like ashes.
17 He hurls down his hail like pebbles.
    Who can withstand his icy blast?
18 He sends his word and melts them;
    he stirs up his breezes, and the waters flow.

19 He has revealed his word to Jacob,
    his laws and decrees to Israel.
20 He has done this for no other nation;
    they do not know his laws.

Praise the Lord.

Through these past few months as I was seeking God to know my purpose, He laid it out before me through the lives of my friends. My purpose is prayer and words. Personally, I don’t think I can speak well at all. As an introvert, I still panic when called on to pray out-loud. But it’s not me, it’s Christ in me and His Spirit that guides me as I pray. Prayer is powerful. Prayer absolutely works. God bends His ear to listen to His children.

As we approach Good Friday, my prayer is for those who might wander by this blog and are seeking to fill an emptiness in their lives. Jesus fills the emptiness. If you’re saved but walking apart from God, there’s never been a better time to return to Him. Don’t let the enemy whisper lies. Jesus loves you and is waiting for you to call on His name. Remember what Jesus told us in Matthew 18:12 “What do you think? If any man has a hundred sheep, and one of them goes astray, will he not leave the ninety-nine on the mountains, and go and search for the one that is lost?

If you’ve never asked Jesus to be your Savior, you can do it right where you are. All you have to do is pray this simple prayer…

Lord Jesus, for too long I’ve kept you out of my life. I know that I am a sinner and that I cannot save myself. No longer will I close the door when I hear you knocking. By faith I gratefully receive your gift of salvation. I am ready to trust you as my Lord and Savior. Thank you, Lord Jesus, for coming to earth. I believe you are the Son of God who died on the cross for my sins and rose from the dead on the third day. Thank you for bearing my sins and giving me the gift of eternal life. I believe your words are true. Come into my heart, Lord Jesus, and be my Savior. Amen.

If you’ve prayed that prayer or if you are coming back to Jesus, I urge you to read the Word and find a church home. While the Bible doesn’t command us to attend a brick & mortar building, being in the midst of believers is a great help as you start out on your journey. I know when I finally surrendered my entire life to Christ, I watched services on YouTube for the longest time. It was wonderful, but then it got to the point where God was calling me to a church home. Despite past church hurts and pain, I took a step of faith and walked back into a church after nearly 25 years. It’s been a game changer.

God bless,

Nim