1 John 3:1, English Standard Version

“See what kind of love the Father has given to us, that we should be called children of God; and so we are.”

I was sitting in my living room, managing the sorrow that came from the distance between my child and me, when a thought led me to the heart of the Father: how hard must it be for Him to see those He loves going through suffering in this hopeless world, especially those who choose to reject Him and rebel toward the path of destruction? Even more, He allowed His only begotten Son to be crushed for those who did not love Him, so that they could return.

What kind of love has the Father given to us? I truly do not have the proper words to describe it. I do not think there is any way I could stop loving my child, even though I was born with and carry a selfish nature. Yet He is completely selfless. All I could do in that moment was cry like a baby, moving from the love of a parent to the love of a child. Then I recognized that He was right there, bringing comfort to my heart and whispering, “I do know how you feel. Focus on Me.”

“Therefore, I tell you, her many sins have been forgiven—as her great love has shown. But whoever has been forgiven little loves little.” (Luke 7:47, NIV)

Do I recognize that I have been forgiven much? Yes, I do! I know who I was, and I know the junk that was in my mind without Christ, the way I treated myself before the Light shined and Love embraced me, cleansed me, and restored me. Oh, how something once so unpleasant could one day carry the fragrance of the Savior!

Are you hurting? Depressed? Desperate? Feeling lonely, helpless, or useless? Are you hating yourself and thinking you are worth nothing? Are you judging yourself, or perhaps lifting yourself high and yet still unable to find satisfaction for your soul? Are you going through each day without seeing hope, finding peace, feeling joy, or having someone you can lean on and trust? Are you believing that you are too far gone, that there is no redemption for you, or that you do not qualify for anything good to happen in your life?

If you are reading these words of mine, I tell you this: I do not have it all together. No person does. But we have One who does, and His name is Jesus. Through Him, the Father and the Father’s love are revealed. Every mile He walked and every suffering He took upon Himself when He came in human likeness was to make a way for us to return to the Father, the One who loves us so much even while we are sinning against Him.

I know how much I have been forgiven, and I know how deeply I am loved by my Father and His Son. I do not desire to bring grief to my Father or my Savior, and I do not desire that for you either.

Come and know His love for you, beginning with understanding the weight of His forgiveness.