I have learned that love is not defined by men, but rather defined by sacrifice. There have been plenty of people that might use the word "love" but it often takes on different meanings. When someone says, "I love you" I'm ashamed to say that I don't always think of Christ. I might think of good friends, family, relationships, but when I hear the word 'Love'- Christ is not the first thought on my mind. This is a lesson that I think I will continue to learn as the days go by, and today I can say I'm thankful for the reminder of what love really is.
Another lesson I have learned over the last year is that it is okay to hurt. There are several times I may feel hurt, but when I rely on Christ, then I don't need to let my hurt hang around.
Sometimes people feel hurt because of painful changes, but in and of itself, feeling hurt is not a bad thing. It's when the hurt becomes bitterness that it is deadly to one's spiritual, and mental health. Take it from someone who's been bitter. It starts as what might be a righteous reaction to being disregarded, betrayed, failed, ignored, abused or unappreciated. At that point, it can be difficult to allow healing over the situation because there is so much distrust in a relationship. But at the core of this lesson, is the reminder to rely on Christ.
There is no person on this earth that is not going to hurt me in one form or another. There is no one person living on this earth today that is going to hold perfect relationships with all they encounter; and there is no one person that I'm not going to hurt because I am human. BUT, there is one that can put all worries to rest of being ignored, disregarded, betrayed, abused, and unappreciated. The reason is that He was hurt by me, and for me. My sin is what He decided not to be bitter about. The God that created me decided not to hold my sin against me! Instead He sent His very REAL and PERFECT Son to not only take my punishment, but to COME BACK TO LIFE!!
From this point on, there are no words I can say that would describe what God has laid on my heart this Thanksgiving, but here is one of my favorite passages that is my reminder of who God is.
"15 [He] is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation; 16 for in him were all things created, in the heavens and upon the earth, things visible and things invisible, whether thrones or dominions or principalities or powers; all things have been created through him, and unto him; 17 and he is before all things, and in him all things consist. 18 And he is the head of the body, the church: who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead; that in all things he might have the preeminence. 19 For it was the good pleasure of the Father that in him should all the fullness dwell; 20 and through him to reconcile all things unto himself, having made peace through the blood of his cross; through him, I say, whether things upon the earth, or things in the heavens. 21 And you, being in time past alienated and enemies in your mind in your evil works, 22 yet now hath he reconciled in the body of his flesh through death, to present you holy and without blemish and unreproveable before him..."
Col 1:15-22 (ASV)
Take a moment to praise God for who He is, and if you aren't sure about this whole God thing, then I challenge you to seek it out. God promises that "You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all of your heart." Jeremiah 29:13. It's a fact. Try it out! It makes the difference between death and life!
Thanks for reading!
~Lainey~
