God's Love

Dearest Ones,

Recently, I read a survey which said that only 13% of Christians believe what the Bible says. They said they believe parts of it - but not all. If we can pick and choose what to believe in the Bible, how do we know if anything is true or not? Why do some Christians not believe what God says? I think it is because they don't want to do what God says we must do to get to heaven. Maybe they don't want to love their enemies or give money to the poor, etc., as the Bible says we should do. Sometimes I wonder how many Christians really feel they need God?

We have to eat food to stay alive physically, how much more do we need to feed our souls with God's word, if we are to stay alive spiritually. God did not make us and then leave us alone to see for ourselves if we could make it in this world. No, instead, He made us because He wants to be deeply involved in our lives. He wants to help us and to have an intimate friendship with us. He made us out of love and He longs for a return of our love.

He taught us what love is by laying down His life for us. What terrible suffering He endured for love of us! Just that night in the garden, the night before He was crucified, His pain was so great He even sweat blood, when He had to decide if He would go through the torture of the crucifixion for us. St. Paul taught us what love is in these powerful words, which are often used at weddings:

"Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails." (1 Cor. 13-4)

In order to make these words really hit home, it helps to say your name instead of the word love and in place of each underlined word, in the above quote...then read it aloud. If the whole world lived this kind of love, what a different world it would be.

When the things of this world can no longer satisfy us - we come to what is really important - and that is love. When you are sick and life is shaky, all you really want is to reach out and touch those you love. Nothing else matters. It is because nothing is lasting but love.

How could we with our fallen natures, possibly love as St. Paul says? God knew we couldn't do it by ourselves, so He gave us His Holy Spirit to help us. With His help, it is possible to do it. He wouldn't give us the impossible to do. St. Paul says again and again: "I can do all things in He who strengthens me."

God often allows us to go through difficulties to purify our souls and to teach us to rely on Him more. So offer Him your problems, and ask Him for the strength to overcome them. Talk to Him often. When the difficulties are at their worst, go to Him humbly and lovingly - and ask for the help you need.

God has various ways of drawing us to Him - but sometimes He hides from us. In those times, the only support must be our faith, which must be totally in God. Such faith will not fail. Look to God with eyes of faith. He is within us; we don't need to look for Him outside of ourselves.

Remember that God never leaves us. We should be careful never to separate ourselves from His presence. God knows very well what we need. If we knew how much He loves us, we would always be ready to face life - with its pleasures and its troubles.

The difficulties of life do not have to be unbearable. It is the way that we look at them - through faith or unbelief? That is important. We must be convinced that our Father is deeply in love with us and that He only permits trials to come our way in order for us to get closer to Him.

Jesus prayed so urgently that we would be one in His perfect love just before He began His lonely passion, as He said these words: "Father, may they be one in us, as you are in me and I am in you...with me in them and you in me, may they be so completely one that the world will realize that it was you who sent me and I have loved them as much as you love me." (John 17:21)

All my love in Christ Jesus,
Sister Francelle