Convictions

I'm reading a book called Crazy Love by Francis Chan. It's Crazy Good!

I will admit that a lot in the book was convicting but nothing more so then this paragraph...

To fill you in a little before I dive in to this it's talking about how when the author became a father. He talked about his little girl running to greet him with a big hug before he was hardly even out of the car and how this experience and just becoming a father truly showed him how much God loves and desires him! This in and of itself should be convicting... the Creator of the universe loves and desires me! Wow!! Not only that but He desires a relationship with me! He doesn't need me but still desires me! I digress, anyways, back to the paragraph...

"My own love and desire for my kids' love is so strong that it opened my eyes to how much God desires and loves us. My daughter's expression of love for me and her desire to be with me is the most amazing thing. Nothing compares to being truly, exuberantly wanted by your children.

Through this experience, I came to understand that my desire for my children is only a faint echo of God's great love for me and for every person He made. I am just an earthly, sinful father, and I love my kids so much it hurts. How could I not trust a heavenly, perfect Father who loves me infinitely more then I will ever love my kids?"

If you, then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in Heaven give good gifts to those who ask him! Matthew 7:11

"The best things in life are gifts from the One who steadfastly loves us. But an important question to ask ourselves is this: Are we in love with God or just His stuff?

Imagine how awful it would feel to have your child say to you, "I don't really love you or want your love, but I would like my allowance, please". Conversely, waht a beautiful gift it is to have the one you love look you in the eye and say, "I love you. Not your beauty, your money, your family or your car. Just you."

Can you say that to God?

Our love for Him always comes out of His love for us. Do you love this God who is everything, or do you just love everything He gives you?