Does God love me as an individual?

Hello!

Did you know that the life of Christ is manifest in us, not by our smiling countenances and uplifting words, but more astutely by the choices we make in the midst of our sorrow and pain?

Anyone can choose to praise the Lord when things are going well. But it's the person who chooses, almost through clenched teeth, to praise Him, he it is who shines brighter and stands taller; he it is who portrays the image of Christ deep in his soul.

Life can be uncomfortable at times, very uncomfortable. We're not where we want to be, we don't have what we want to have. We sulk. We complain. We become depressed. We ask, "Why is it everyone else has this or that? Why is it that the very things I long for, I see others enjoying?" It is not wrong to question God. He has given us inquiring minds. But when our questions seem to go unanswered, we need to look at our situation objectively. We need to ask ourselves some questions. Do we really believe God loves us individually, unconditionally? Do we really believe He has a plan for each life? Are we really a child of God?

The last question can be answered easily enough. All we have to do is open our Bible and see what it says about salvation. Acts 16:31 tells us if we believe on the Lord Jesus Christ we shall be saved. I John 1:9 tells us that if we confess our sins He is faithful and just to forgive us and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

Now that it has been established in our own minds that we truly do believe and have asked Christ for the salvation He has promised to those who seek Him, then we need to ask ourselves another question. "Does God love me as an individual?" The Bible is full of reassurances on that account. Jesus told the parable of shepherd leaving his ninety-nine sheep to go find the one that was lost. That's how much he loved that one little lamb. The psalmist tells us that God knew us while we were yet in our mother's womb. And over and over again we are told that He knows us individually, and He has a plan for each of us - and the plans He has for us are good.

With these truths in mind, it seems to me our question to God should be "What?" not "Why?" "What would you have me to do?" Jabez prayed, "Lord, enlarge my territory." That is His will for each of us. So if we're not where we want to be and nothing seems to change it, then we need to ask the Lord to open our eyes to see the territory before us, right where we are. Read His Word. Listen to men and women of God who come your way. Find what plan it is He has for you right where you are in your present circumstances. In making His will your own, you will find the joy of living, the peace of contentment and the fulfillment you've never found chasing your own dreams.

Perhaps the last question should be, "How well do you know Him?" Is there a way you could know Him better? The bottom line is, do you really want to know Him better, or do you just want Him to make your life more comfortable? Do you just want Him to do it your way?

We're all in this together. We all have to ask ourselves these questions. If we answer honestly, we won't have to wonder what God's plan is for us. We'll see that we're right where we should be for this moment. He'll change circumstances when He sees we're ready for the change.

In the meantime, we can praise through our tears. We may even find our feet dancing! He knows where you are. He's never taken His eyes off of you. You are His own dear child. Believe it! Rejoice in it!"

There are very few people who realize what God would make of them if they abandoned themselves into His hands and let themselves be formed by His grace." St. Ignatius



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