(By Rachel Joyce)
Have you ever done a free fall into the love of God — letting go of all that hinders you from experiencing the fullness of His incredible love for you?
In John 15:9, Jesus said, "Just as the Father has loved Me, I have also loved you; abide in My love." And in 1 John 4:16, John explains:
We have come to know and have believed the love which God has for us. God is love, and the one who abides in love abides in God, and God abides in him.
The word translated “abide” in these verses is the Greek word meno (μένω). Strong’s Dictionary defines it: to stay (in a given place, state, relation or expectancy), abide, continue, dwell, endure, be present, remain. Not only does Scripture tell us of God’s amazing, sacrificial love for you, it also commands you to stay in His love.
As the Father loves the only begotten Son...as He cherishes Him, values Him, takes great delight in Him, so the Son loves you and me. Can you comprehend that truth? I can't. How Jesus could love me as much as His Father loves Him is completely beyond my understanding, but I'm so grateful that it's true.
Take a moment to let the beauty of this truth flood your heart and sink down into the core of who you are.
He cherishes you. He values you. He takes delight in you.
It's not because of how much you've accomplished or how talented you are or who you know. He loves you because He created you and went to the cross to redeem you.
He wants to spend time with you and wants you to enjoy spending time with Him. He says to you, “This is the greatness of my love for you, now stay in it. Let it flow around you until it permeates every cell of your being. Let it redeem and transform you until when others look at you, they see Me.”
I pray that you will truly experience His love as your resting place today.
May you stay in that secret place of acceptance until the praise and disapproval of other people fade into nothingness and all your ears can hear is the still, small voice of our Lord. As you bask in His delight, your heart will be filled with the joy of His presence.
When you abide in His love, the light of His presence heals your wounds and makes you whole, little by little. You discover that He is all your heart desires and you are content to rest in His embrace.