Welcome Home
This is how God SHOWED his love among us: He sent his one and only Son into the world that we might live through him. This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins. 1 John 4:9-10
Insight
Fixer Upper. Good Bones. Rehab Addict.
Even though I publicly blame Jenn, my wife, for my HGTV obsession, secretly, I'm a sucker for a good home renovation show. There's just something about watching the transformation of a rundown, worn-out-shabby house into a breathtaking and next-level residence. Of course, like most folks, my favorite segment of these shows is the grand reveal at the end when they drop the curtain and finally let the homeowner see their new digs.
Cue the waterworks and the flood of ecstatic emotions. The homeowners are left speechless, overwhelmed with gratitude. It's no wonder why they call them dream houses. Having spent their days in a nightmare of a home, the homeowners couldn't imagine anything different. Before coming on the show and meeting the designer, they resigned themselves to spending their days among the mess, having grown comfortable with the uncomfortable state of their home.
When it comes to our perspective of love, we have a lot in common with those homeowners. Unfortunately, living in a broken world distorts our viewpoint and understanding of love. In turn, we settle for cheap substitutes, pursue twisted alternatives, or give up on being loved altogether.
At one time or another, we've heard in some form or fashion that the cross is God's love demonstrated. Yet, we rarely take a step back and consider why God would have to show His love in the first place. God had to demonstrate true love because we have a hard time recognizing it.
The beauty of the cross serves as the grandest reveal of all time. God not only saved us from our sin, but He also rescued us from spending our days living unloved. When something is made manifest, it becomes seeable. This draws us in to participate with it.
Because of the cross and His victory over death, Christ hands over the keys and tells us, "Welcome home. You now reside in a place of forgiveness as one who is forgiven."
Reflection
Where do you need to fight against the belief that you're unloved? What makes you doubt Christ's love?
How has He demonstrated His love for you and made it manifest?
Prayer
God, before encountering the cross, I never understood what true love was; instead, I looked to lesser things to try to make myself complete. When I look to the life of Christ, I see a reflection of Your heart and love for me. It might be an indescribable love, but it is undeniable, one that I can count on for security, freedom, and purpose. For that, I am forever grateful. Your name, Jesus. Amen.