As Krystal and I are continuing through this current trial of being unemployed it occurred to me how often we as humans (especially Americans) take the little things for granted.   Those of us in the 2x-4x something generation we have not ever really had to go without food for days or without shelter or any hardship that our earlier generations or ancestors have seen.  So, because we are so fortunate we have a nature of oversight.  Meaning that we tend to look past the little things that we deem as unimportant or silly and only focus on the wants or “big ticket” items that we feel we need.  Let me provide an example, how many of you dread Monday morning and having to go to work?  Well I was one of those, I looked so forward to Sunday and being in the Lord’s house but yet I dreaded Sunday night because of having to go to work the next morning.  Well obviously that has definitely been dealt with as I will love to be able to go to work on Monday.  

This same attitude however can be seen in our Christian walk and how we approach God’s Word.  Lets take for instance the simpliest verse that we all learned when we were 5 years old and lets examine it (John 3:16).  Now this verse is used as the most basic means of sharing the Gospel with people.  We use it on signs at football games and anywhere else that we are trying to just get peoples attention and touch them as quickly and easily as possible.  However this verse is not only for the purpose of sharing our faith but it is an example for us a Christians on how to live our lives and a window into what God thinks is valuable.  Let me explain further:

16“For 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.

OK, so now that we have the verse lets really examine it and get back to basics:

Nothing expresses the concept of God’ love more comprehensively than John 3:16.  When the Scripture speaks of God’s love, we must embrace the fact that it is not limited to a selected few or one favored group. If that was the case, it’s a real possibility we would not be included. But it is an inclusive love that has the breadth to go beyond our failings and the depth to lift us from our falls.  When John declares this gift is for the whole world, it’s inspiring because it means that even folk like us still benefit from its reach. Folk that may not be where they need to be yet but are pressing forward are renewed by His presence. And His love transforms the possibilities in our lives into purpose and we are simply better because of it.   Think of the ways in which we share our love for our family, friends, even in our giving to strangers. We may choose service, affection, gifts, or simply language to transfer our feelings to that individual. But God’s love is expressed in the giving of his most priceless gift, His only son Jesus Christ.  When I reflect on the reality that He gave His only, I realize that normally we wouldn’t give people our only of anything. Human nature would caution us to keep back something for ourselves. Even the most benevolent spirit that freely shares would hesitate on giving away their only coat, their only car, or their only dollar.

I recall as a child, if there was only one of something left in the refrigerator, you asked for it. The only slice of pie or only cup of milk had special significance because it might be needed for something important or promised to someone else. If you dared take the only of anything without permission, it was certain that you would bring the wrath of Mama down on you.  And so I’ve always been encouraged that John reveals that God “so loved” us that his love is solidified with action and not just in words. It moved beyond rhetoric to the reality of giving that which He valued most, Jesus Christ. And we are all beneficiaries of that wonderful gift.

And so the immense power of God’ love is that He says, “I’m not just going to give you what I have, I’m going to give you all I have.”

God chooses to love us even when we aren’t that lovable and gently looks beyond our faults. And therein rests the power of love. That it gives us not only the chance to become better, but to become a part of something greater than ourselves through His love.

So as we look at this example we should see a model for how we are to live our lives as Christians, “followers” of Christ.  The game of follow-the-leader is just that you do everything that the leader does…everything!  We should love as God loved and we should be giving of our most valuable gift…salvation through the blood of Christ.  In doing this we should solidify our devotion to Christ with not just saying that we are Christians but with action in pursing Him day after day as hard as we can.  We as Christians must know our tools and know who we are in Christ.

God Bless ~ Tyler