Loved Without Limits

Praise the Lord! He is good. God’s love never fails.

Psalm 136:1 CEV

During my travels as a speaker, I’ve met lots of women who view God as a stern, judgmental, impersonal entity lurking nearby with a huge frown and a big stick, just waiting to smite them to smithereens when they mess up. That perspective is usually based on harsh experiences they’ve had with an angry father, relentless coach, or strict teacher.

But you know what, girlfriend? That is so not Papa God. Sure, our heavenly Father is holy and just. He’s righteous and wants us to be too. But that doesn’t make Him a mean ole hulking principal hovering in the hall with a big paddle. Papa God has many other attributes as well—He’s sovereign, ever present, kind, slow to anger, merciful, faithful, omniscient, and loving (to name a few). Did you know there are over fifty verses in the Bible describing our Creator’s incredibly vast love for us? Listen, if assuring us of His unfailing love is that important to Him, maybe we need to pick up what He’s putting down.

How do we do that? By spending time in His presence. By nurturing a closer relationship with Him. By getting on a heart level with the One who sees us through eyes of affection, not criticism. The One who isn’t fixated on a list of dos and don’ts, but with the condition of our hearts. The One who, despite our many imperfections, considers us to be His precious, precious daughters.

Our heavenly Father wants to lavish love on us. Really, how many people can we say that about? He doesn’t condemn or critique us but instead forgives and accepts us, quirks, meltdowns, zits, and all. With Yahweh (ancient Hebrew term for God), it’s not about what we do, it’s about who we are through His lens of love. And oh, does He ever love you and me. Intentionally. Unconditionally. Without limits.

Prayer: Dearest Yahweh, I know that getting to know You better means spending time in Your Word and in communication with You in prayer. Help me make those top priorities. I want to fall even deeper in love with my heavenly Papa, who already faithfully loves me. And always will. Amen.