Showing That God Is Real

From Devotions For Ragamuffins by Brennan Manning, Pp.1

God’s love is based on nothing, and the fact that it is based on nothing makes us secure. Were it based on anything we do, and that “anything” were to collapse, then God’s love would crumble as well. But with the God of Jesus no such thing can possibly happen. People who realize this can live freely and to the fullest. Remember Atlas, who carries the whole world? We have Christian Atlases who mistakenly carry the burden of trying to deserve God’s love. Even the mere watching of this lifestyle is depressing. I’d like to say to Atlas: “Put that globe down and dance on it. That’s why God made it.” And to these weary Christian Atlases: “Lay down your load and build your life on God’s love.” We don’t have to earn this love; neither do we have to support it. It is a free gift. Jesus calls out:  “Come to me, all you Atlases who are weary and find life burdensome, and I will refresh you.”

With this kind of freedom, if we really believe we have it, why are we so often cynical, miserable, and insensitive? I can recognize each of these tendencies in my life whether the focus of my insensitivity, cynicism, and misery is others or myself. Too often, when riding a wave of emotion or a bolt of tension, I lash out at others who I am supposed to love and respect as other children of God. Likewise, I let my own surface level interests, addictions, and fascinations get in the way of living, breathing relationships that really matter. I can either affirm or deny God’s presence, grace, and love in my life with each individual interaction that I have with others and with each decision, whether it results in victory or failure, that I make as an individual. If I don’t focus on this truth, no other aspect of my existence is going to matter. My friendships, family relationships, and overall life experience (short and long-term) will suffer if I can’t remember that I am His, that He has already won, that I have a lot to be thankful for, and that the best thing that I can do is share His grace and love with others.