If We Only Knew

How often do these words roll around in your mind? Regret is a companion we would much rather live without, however I am not writing this post about regret, as that would be a waste of time. I am thinking primarily of God's love.

There is a song, by Unspoken, my son is the one who had me first listen to it, and for weeks afterwards, I could not get the chorus out of my head.

"If we only knew

How deep the ocean of Your love

How powerful every drop of blood

How much it cost to rescue us

If we only knew

How far the East is from the West

How we are clothed in righteousness

How strong the hands that conquered death

If we only knew"

I have talked to parents of young children who have barely two minutes of down time during the day for which they can tend to their own personal needs, much less spend 'leisure' hours pondering God's vast and immeasurable love and care for them. They long for the normal routine, coffee with friends, a job to go to so that they are not consistently falling farther and farther into debt. They have told me stories of running from one room to another to help their various young children navigate online learning while still juggling the demands of regular life chores, laundry still needs doing, food preparing, rooms tidying and phone calls and bill payments will seldom wait.

I have also sat with the depressed and lonely. Those who have been forgotten or left alone due to the isolation of COVID lockdowns, those with health challenges that make them fearful to go out in public for almost any outing and yet feel the walls closing in on them. Their prayers seem to echo back to them, seemingly unanswered.

I have myself struggled in a variety of ways. There are days that I am so very thankful for the bountiful blessings I have. My family is healthy, my husband has work and yet there are other days that I miss having coffee with a friend, I wonder if there will be a 'normal' to return to once the 'dust has settled' I have noticed in my heart a slow simmering discontent growing. I find myself at times looking to see what new thing I could acquire to fill the void. That is precisely where the lyrics of this song fit it.

If we only knew how deep the ocean of your love.... would we really behave or feel the way we do? If we truly understood and trusted that everything that is happening in our lives has been divinely ordained for our good would be spending hours with shopping apps on our phone or would we be more likely to ask "God, what would you have me to learn in this season? How can I be your hands and feet to others?" If we could but begin to plumb the depth of God's love for us we would confidently say with Paul "can anything ever separate us from Christ’s love? Does it mean he no longer loves us if we have trouble or calamity, or are persecuted, or hungry, or destitute, or in danger, or threatened with death?" (Romans 8:35) And feel confident hope as the writer of Hebrews did when he said "Therefore, we who have fled to him for refuge can have great confidence as we hold to the hope that lies before us." (Hebrews 6:18)

"How powerful every drop of blood" How much time have you taken to consider the cost of the cross this week? How much did it cost our Savior to clothe you with his righteousness? Did you ask him to do this? Did you seek him, giving every ounce of your strength and possessions to know for certainty that your sins have been put away? Paul once again reminds us that the kindness of God that leads us to repentance. (Romans 2:4) In light of God's kindness to us, are we extending the same kindness to one another? How about in your family life? Do you find it increasingly hard to truly be kind to your Spouse? Siblings? Children? How about at the grocery store. Do you allow the stressed out mom to go ahead of you or the elderly person to take that last item that you were wanting? Do you display the kindness of God as you wait your turn in line with your mask on and feet cold while standing outside once again in the cold Muskoka February to get into a store? Do people hear murmurings and grumbling coming from you or can they see the joy in your heart because of God's kindness and love overflowing in your eyes and body language?

My challenge to you this week is to be mindful of how people are seeing God through you despite these difficult circumstances we all find ourselves in. Remember that happiness is a temporary feeling but true joy comes from God and transcends beyond our present circumstances to the hope we have in heaven.

​And, in case you are wanting to listen to the song, it can be found here