_____________________Sunday, October 01, 2006__________________
Do you love me?
One day, I woke early in the morning to watch the sunrise. Ah, the beauty of God's creation is beyond description. As I watched, I praised God for His beautiful work. As I sat there, I felt the Lord's presence with me.
God: He asked you, "Do you love me?"
Me: I answered, "Of course, God! You are my Lord and Saviour!"
God: Then He asked, "If you were physically handicapped, would you still love me?"
Me: I was perplexed. I looked down upon my arms, legs and the rest of my body and wondered how many things I wouldn't; be able to do the things that I took for granted. And I answered, "It would be tough Lord, but I would still love You."
God: Then the Lord said, "If you were blind, would you still love my creation?"
Me: How could I love something without being able to see it? Then I thought of all the blind people in the world and how many of them still loved God and His creation. So I answered, "Its hard to think of it, but I would still love you."
God: The Lord then asked you, "If you were deaf, would you still listen to my word?"
Me: How could I listen to anything being deaf? Then I understood. Listening to God's Word is not merely using our ears, but our hearts. I answered, "It would be tough, but I would still listen to Your word."
God: The Lord then asked, "If you were mute, would you still praise My Name?"
Me: How could I praise without a voice? Then it occurred to me: God wants us to sing from our very heart and soul. It never matters what we sound like. And praising God is not always with a song, but when we are persecuted, we give God praise with our words of thanks. So I answered, "Though I could not physically sing, I would still praise Your Name."
God: And the Lord asked, "Do you really love Me?"
Me: With courage and a strong conviction, I answered boldly "Yes Lord! I love You because You are the one and true God!" I thought I had answered well, but...
God: God asked, "THEN WHY DO YOU SIN?"
Me: I answered, "Because I am only human. I am not perfect."
God: "THEN WHY IN TIMES OF PEACE DO YOU STRAY THE FURTHEST? WHY ONLY IN TIMES OF TROUBLE DO YOU PRAY THE EARNEST?"
Me: No answers. Only tears.
God: The Lord continued: "Why only sing at fellowships and retreats? Why seek Me only in times of worship? Why ask things so selfishly? Why ask things so unfaithfully?"
Me: The tears continued to roll down my cheeks.
God: "You are blessed with life. I made you not to throw this gift away. I have blessed you with talents to serve Me, but you continue to turn away. I have revealed My Word to you, but you do not gain in knowledge. I have spoken to you but your ears were closed. I have shown My blessings to you, but your eyes were turned away. I have sent you servants, but you sat idly by as they were pushed away. I have heard your prayers and I have answered them all." "DO YOU TRULY LOVE ME??
Me: I could not answer. How could I? I was embarrassed beyond belief. I had no excuse. What could I say to this? When I my heart had cried out and the tears had flowed, I said, "Please forgive me Lord. I am unworthy to be Your child."
God: The Lord answered, "That is My Grace, My child."
Me: I asked, "Then why do you continue to forgive me? Why do You love me so??
God: The Lord answered, "Because you are My creation. You are my child. I will never abandon you. When you cry, I will have compassion and cry with you. When you shout with joy, I will laugh with you. When you are down, I will encourage you. When you fall, I will raise you up. When you are tired, I will carry you. I will be with you till the end of days, and I will love you forever."
Me: Never had I cried so hard before. How could I have been so cold? How could I have hurt God as I had done? I asked God, "How much do You love me?" The Lord stretched out His arms, and I saw His nail-pierced hands. I bowed down at the feet of Christ, my Saviour. And for the first time, I truly prayed.