What would the world be like if every person believed in God’s love? Not just God–but God’s love. Just imagine every human believing that Almighty, All-present, All-knowing God, maker of heaven and earth, truly loves each and every person, self included. Amazing isn’t it?
I imagine, for starters, we would be kinder to ourselves. We would not be so quick to replay that negative self-talk we learned before we fully embraced the truth of God’s love. We might focus on our gifts more, and practice self-loathing less. Maybe we would see our own value and live deeper into the people God created us to be.
I think we would be kinder to others as well, don’t you? Fully aware of God’s love, we would surely struggle to hold all that love inside ourselves. Some of it would have to spill out into our relationships, wouldn’t it? The co-worker you can’t stand, the family member whose neediness exhausts you, the neighbor who gets on your last nerve–if you started thinking of them first as people God loves, would you be more patient, more considerate?
When I imagine a world where God’s love is commonly accepted, I see people conversing with people of opposing political views. I see people listening to each other, genuinely wanting to understand the other’s viewpoint. I see forgiveness where there once was bitterness, hope where despair once ruled, and free-flowing and abundant grace where the default was once quick and critical judgment.
The good news of the Gospel is that this beautiful world is not a fairy-tale based on empty magic. No. It’s the salvation Jesus promises–the Kingdom come, the will [of God] done, on Earth. . .just as it is in Heaven. So, take a deep breath and dare to believe that God loves you more than you can imagine. Now do that again and this time, remind yourself that as much as God loves you, God loves the rest of humanity every bit as much.
