What is it all about?

I am a Christian. I believe God created the universe in 7 days, just like the Bible says. I believe God loved his creation, and asked them not to do one simple thing. I believe they did that one thing and broke His heart. I believe there were times God wanted to scrap the whole thing - Genesis 6:5-7 "The Lord saw how great man's wickedness on the earth had become, and that every inclination of the thoughts of his heart was only evil all the time. The Lord was grieved that he had made man on the earth, and his heart was filled with pain. So the Lord said, 'I will wipe mankind, whom I have created, from the face of the earth. . .for I am grieved that I have made them.'" (NIV) Thankfully, Noah found favor in the Lord's eyes (vs. 8). I can only imagine the Lord's grieving today as it seems the evil in men's hearts has only gotten exponentially worse.

But the Lord God saw fit to keep it all going because He had a plan to bring His creation, His children, back to Him. God, the trinity, would essentially sacrifice Himself, Christ the Son, to atone for our sin. This is what is truly amazing: God could see past the sin. He remembered the days in the Garden with His creation and how good it once was, and He longed for that relationship again, so much so that He would suffer the greatest indignity, cruelty and violence ever, and worst of all, take the punishment we deserved so He could have that relationship with us once more. If you are a parent, you may understand that desire to sacrifice anything for your child - so they don't have to suffer. You may realize the desire, as your child gets older, to have that closeness with your child that you had when they were younger, more innocent.

I believe that God uses everything in the life of a Christian to help sanctify them. Your life situations/trials directly result from things that God wants you to be learning. "Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything." James 1:2-4 (NIV) "No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it." Hebrews 12:11 (NIV) Our children teach us patience and they give us joy. Parenthood teaches us love in a way we have never loved before - a sacrificial, unselfish love - not perfect, because we are human, but probably as close as we will ever get to understanding our Heavenly Father's great, unconditional love for us.

We must always strive to remember just how much it cost our Father to buy us back, and love Him back, more than anything else, including our children. It is a difficult concept, one I grapple with because my children are physically here, in my arms, and they need me. God doesn't need me, but he does want me, and I need Him. If we put God first in our hearts, in our lives, we will be better parents, better spouses, better people. Start the day today by praying to your Father and confessing your love to Him. Ask Him to bless your day, your time with your children and to help you get closer to Him. "If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and will heal their land." 2 Chronicles 7:14 (NIV)

So what is this all about? I want to encourage others and do whatever I can for the Kingdom. "And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds." Hebrews 10:24 Have a wonderful day in the Lord!