“No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.” – Romans 8:37-39
I recently had a conversation with a parent of a teenager. She told me that her son was driving her crazy. I laughed because I understood her frustration. In the very following sentence, the young mother told me that she was so proud of him. We shared a few laughs about our children, but it was clear how much we both loved our kids.
It made me think about how God feels about us, his children. It is almost overwhelming to think about the depth of God’s love for all His people. To be honest, I have often had a hard time understanding God’s loving patience, that is until I had children of my own.
No one can test a person’s patience more than their own children. Perhaps it is because, as parents, our hopes and expectations for our children are so high. Maybe it is that we just spend so much of our time with them. Either way, my children can test my patience. Don’t get me wrong, I love my girls deeply, but they know how to push my buttons.
No matter what my children have done, I have yet to find a time when my heart is not filled with love for them. They may test the limits of my patience, but they will never see the end of my love for them.
If my love for my daughters is so great, how much more is God’s love for His children?
In the Book of Romans, the Apostle Paul’s most theologically rich writing, Paul writes about the depth and breadth of God’s love. Paul makes it clear that nothing in this world can separate us from the love of God. There are times when God is frustrated with us. I am sure we test God’s patience, but nothing in this world will cause God to love us less. This is the good news that gives us comfort, joy, peace, and the deepest of blessings. We are loved. Thanks be to God!
Rev. Keith King, Pastor of Worship
