Abiding and seen pt.2

Abiding and seen pt.2

Our God is the God who sees. Therefore, we are invited to abide in His perfect love.

1 Corinthians 13 wonderfully sketches out the characteristics of perfect love. Jesus, Himself said,  

...“Anyone who loves me will obey my teaching. My Father will love them, and we will come to them and make our home with them. (John 14:23 NIV)

and God is love. Whoever lives in love lives in God, and God in them. (1 John 4:16)

However, we don't always feel this love.

Above our feelings, though, reigns perfect, absolute truth. This is found in the pages of Scripture.

Truths to live by

Right now if you're feeling unseen, He sees. (Genesis 16:13 & read Hagar's story, it's amazing!)

Right now, if you're feeling unknown, He knows. (Psalm 139:1-18)

RIGHT now, if you're feeling manipulated or misunderstood, He understands you. (Proverbs 2:6; He is the source of understanding and also see above, He understands because He knows.)

If you feel unsought, He is running after you and says 'Draw near to Me and I will draw near to you'. (James 4:8)

If you feel abandoned, He says, 'I will never leave you or forsake you'. (Deuteronomy 31:8)

And if you feel like you can't make heads or tails of your life and have no clue where to turn, He is both the Alpha and the Omega, the beginning and the End (Revelation 1:8; 22:13). He is the path of life. (Psalm 16:11) He is the Way, Truth, and life. (John 14:6) And is making a way where there seems to be no way. (Isaiah 43:19) For you to abide in His love. (John 15:9) For you to rest and know and be known by Him. For you to adore Him and to enjoy deep communion with Him.

He is the fountain that never runs dry. And he is the living water who calls to all who thirst 'Come!' (Isaiah 12:3; 55:1, John 7:37)

He is the water and the well. (as I once heard Steffany Gretzinger say in a talk)

He is the food and the supply. (John 6:51)

And when we don't even hunger or thirst, He piques our appetite, stirs hunger for Him in our beings that cannot be contained. 

Actions in response

We love because He first loved us. (1 John 4:19)

When we are filled up with God's love, we realise He adores us, and we adore Him, and out of that place, we begin to live lives that represent Him by sharing His love with the world.

Creation itself cries out and eagerly awaits the rising up of the sons of Adam and daughters of Eve. (Romans 8:19)

For us to take our place as the emissaries and ambassadors of the Most High God and partner with His Spirit to work change in the world and people around us, to spread the good news, heal the sick and bind up the brokenhearted, loose the bound and prisoner, and break every yoke. (Isaiah 61:1-3) 'To share your bread with the hungry' and 'satisfy the afflicted soul'. (Is 58). This is what we are called to do. This is our comission and mandate.

Can we do it?
Can we live like this?

In our own strength, no.

In His strength, yes, we can!

His purposes give our lives meaning. We can live intentionally knowing that the one who sees, knows, and loves has a plan for us which we can follow simply by partnering with Him 'Holy Spirit, how can I love this person in my work today?' 'Lord, please show me how can I encourage this family member or friend?' 'Father, how can I release Your freedom in my workplace today?' 'How can I bring healing?' 'How can I serve?'

He has made the invitation, and what an honour it is to be invited!

All we have to do is respond and join His stride and we can live fully known, fully seen, and joyfully sent into a hurting world with the hope-filled message: You are dearly loved and fully known and He wants you to come be with Him.

Blessings beloved one. You are dearly loved.

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