Special Ways God Loves You

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Alive and Active Life
Special Ways God Loves You
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There is an alarming development over the past several years. People wonder if they actually matter. These “wonderings” happen deep in people’s hearts. Sadly, depression has broken some people. Additionally, discouragement wraps devastating effects around serious global developments. Pandemic, natural disasters, wars and rumors of wars, global warming, political unrest. I think it’s time for a strong look at Special Ways God Loves You. May you be encouraged as you connect with the God who loves you.

Special Ways God Loves You

The idea that God has chosen you because He wants you – is the perfect place to start. As people feel devastating effects of too many tragedies and challenges, hope starts to slip off. Even if the result isn’t serious discouragement, there are at least grave concerns.

Going back to roots that stabilize life helps re-set perspective. Those roots strongly feed hope. Interestingly, roots are “under” things, mostly invisible. However, they are real. Also, tenacious. Gnarly roots speak of history: past growth, overcoming difficulties, nurturing what is visible as they spread underneath and across vast expanses, stabilizing what still matters.

Let me say it again. God has chosen you because He wants you. Most important, God wants you because He loves you.

The Raw Reality Of God’s Love

Sometimes people find it hard to connect with God’s love for them. Essentially, God’s love seems kind of distant, obscure, intangible. Basically, it can feel like trying to grasp the beautiful clouds in a sunny, blue sky.

There are reasons people wonder about God’s love for them – especially since it feels like trying to hold a cloud:

  • It’s the faith thing! So, that makes it not tangible and hard to grab onto.
  • There are too many past hurts.
  • I tried. It didn’t work.
  • Pride puts up walls.
  • It’s so hard to believe God loves me that much.

 

Those are some of many barriers that keep you disconnected from God’s tender and tenacious love. Yet, He loves you. God designed and created you. Just like every individual on the globe, you are precious to Him. God is not just concerned about the big picture, nations, creation. Additionally, He is concerned about you and the purpose for your life.

From the root of His love, God grows up a sturdy, resilient existence that thrives even when times get really bad. This existence can be yours. You can thrive.

Scriptures About Special Ways God Loves You

Here are a few of many proclamations and promises of God’s love for you:

  • Jer. 31:3 – “I have loved you with an everlasting love; I have drawn you with unfailing kindness.”
  • Heb. 13:5 – “Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.”
  • Deut. 31:6 – “Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the Lord your God goes with you; He will never leave you nor forsake you.”
  • Jn. 3:16 – “God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life.”
  • Ps. 36:7 – “How priceless is Your unfailing love, O God! People take refuge in the shadow of Your wings.”
  • Ps. 57:10 – “For great is Your love, reaching to the heavens; Your faithfulness reaches to the skies.”
  • Ps. 94:18 – “When I said, “My foot is slipping,” Your unfailing love, Lord, supported me.”

 

God’s Love Is Free

The special ways God loves you eliminates performance issues most people seem to have. You don’t have to perform to enjoy God’s love. It’s free! God wants you to be you! As your loving, brilliant Creator who knows your design, He is the best person to help you know how to be “you.” He helps you fulfill your life purpose.

Too often when you figure out the unique aspects that make you “you,” it’s tempting to think – “those things make me special.” God does not see you that way. He simply decided you are special to Him – as you are. He wants you!

  • You did nothing to attract His attention.
  • Nothing you accomplished made you extra special.
  • You are intelligent, but that’s not what turned His head your direction.
  • Nothing about your appearance or personality put you above the crowd.
  • You really don’t get credit for any reason God wants you. He simply wants to show you favor!

 

What an undeserved honor! You can be “you” without apology. God sees you with grace. And He wants you to see yourself with His grace. God also sees you with unending knowledge and future possibilities. Do you see yourself this way?

Roots Of Special Ways God Loves You

Now it’s time to dive down into the roots and identify the special ways God loves you. Remember: roots are “under things” – under you. Roots stabilize and strengthen what is over them. They are invisible but they nurture what is visible. Roots are gnarly from experiences and struggles and they spread over a vast territory. Roots support you.

Created In His Image

You have been created in God’s image, a little lower than angels (some translations say – a little lower than God. Ps. 8). You have been crowned with glory and honor – made to rule over your domain. Your domain is your world, your life, your influence. God decided to give you this position of power. You are also God’s child from the beginning. All these things represent God’s heart toward you.

Why? Because you are special to Him.

God Helps You Overcome

Whatever is in your life now – sorrows, losses, difficulties, challenges – God helps you overcome. “In all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who saves us.” (Rom. 8:37) He saves you now and on-going – both for eternal life and in your daily problems and life issues.

Why? Because you are special to Him.

God Partners With You

It was His decision! God partners with you if you let Him. Yes, sin changed things, but it did not change His original design. The cross brought the original design back into your reach. By now, you’ve figured out you can’t live your life well on your own. God has great news for you. He has decided to let you partner with Him. This partnership, this friendship, this “Father and child” relationship is how it’s supposed to be. In fact, Scripture says you are made to rule under Him. (Gen. 1:28) That’s pretty awesome! Is. 9:6 reminds that God is your Counselor. Is. 7:14 and Mt. 1:23 reveal your Companion: Emmanuel (God With Us). He helps you care for your life and domain as a partner.

Why? Because you are special to Him.

Use Your Free Will

You get to use your free will. You get to choose. God made you intelligent and creative to make good choices. Why not pull everything in your influence back to the original design – your thoughts, choices, relationships, career, influences, etc.?

God wants you to manage your life with integrity and goodness as you put yourself under His authority, strength, and power. Don’t let your current situation keep you from being who God created you to be.

Why? Because you are special to Him.

God Lifts You Up

God lifts you up to make a difference in this broken world. Why not welcome Him in your daily life? He promises to make all things new. (Rev. 21:5) This starts here and now. God wants you to live in glory, wonder, and honor every day. Even in this broken life, God makes His love and power yours because He lives inside you. God lifts you up to be the person He created.

Why? Because you are special to Him.

You Are Free To Grow

You are free to grow. If you’d only quit squirming and wiggling out from under His grip. Just be still. Know He is God. (Ps. 46:10) As you release yourself into His care, you will grow in new ways. You will grow into yourself and your life purpose. You can grow strong from your roots up and out.

Why? Because you are special to Him.

It’s Your Choice To Honor God

It is your choice to honor God and live by faith. He crowned you with glory and honor to live an Alive and Active Life that points to Him. Your glory doesn’t start someday. It doesn’t start when Jesus returns. It starts now. And it is your most effective tool to turn eyes to God.

Why? By now – you know why! He loves you with an everlasting love. (Jer. 31:3)

You have roots under you. Stay connected. Rise up.

 

Application Thoughts And Questions

SPECIAL: God decided you are special to Him. He has made His love undeniably clear.

THE CROSS: The cross of Jesus secures you to live forever with God. That cross also provides roots under you so you can have an Alive and Active Life in every life detail.

GOD’S WORD: God’s Word provides all the principles, promises, and action steps you need to have a purpose-filled life in Christ.

QUESTIONS:

  • Do you believe you are special to God?
  • Is God special to you, and do you love Him back?
  • Will you reach back to God and get to know Him better every day?

 

(Article developed from Heb. 2:6-10.)

For additional resources on how to want God back, order Reach Back: Intentionally Reaching Back to God.

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