I confess, I'm a hopeless romantic. I'm the girl who looks tough on the outside but is a closet – Hallmark channel watching, Disney song listening, cries during the romantic comedy –hopeless romantic. There is something about the pursuit, the vulnerability and the courage in these stories that to some extent pulls at every heart. It represents our longing for love and belonging. For many years my heart longed for love but I didn't believe I was worthy of it, so I hid it behind cynicism, control, and outward efficiency. What do you hide behind? Believing we are not only worthy of love, but loved can be one of the biggest battles for our heart."But if I do what my father does, even though you don't believe in me, believe what I do. Then you will know and understand that the Father is in me and I am in the Father." -- John 10:38 (NCV)
For years I proclaimed to believe Jesus, and I did. I believed in Him but I often lost sight of how deeply He loved me. I still hustled for my worth. I could see what he did for others, I could have faith for them, but when it came to my heart, I couldn't quite manage the hand over. I love the gospel of John. It is my favorite gospel for many reasons but one of these reasons is how often Jesus reminds, pleads and commands us to believe.
"I am the resurrection and the life. Those who believe in me will have life even if they die. And everyone who lives and believes in me will never die. Martha, do you believe this?" -- John 11:25-26 (NCV)
Resurrection from the dead. Can we pause on this for a moment? This is so powerful yet in many years of walking as a believer I can easily brush over it. Jesus, God incarnate, has power to raise the dead. Pause on this power for a second. The power of God, the love of God, is fully worthy of trust.
