Living Life by Design

God’s unconditional love has the power to forgive our sins, heal our wounds and mend our broken hearts. This is what he did for me so many years ago. Certainly not because I deserved it or had somehow earned it. God loves me freely (Hosea 14:4). He healed my faithlessness.

From the moment I asked Christ into my heart my life changed. The intense anger and frustration I had in my heart instantly disappeared and was replaced with acceptance, belonging and joy. It was as if I were a child again and I was nestled in my fathers arms…safe, secure and deeply loved.

I know my earthly father loved me but he was from a generation of men that didn’t show emotion. I don’t remember him ever hugging me or telling me he loved me. I longed for his acceptance. When in 7th grade (Junior High) I made up a story that I saw some sort of creature (monster) at the park. I wouldn’t leave my room until my dad came home. I remember him taking me to the park to look for this imaginary creature. I made the whole adventure up just so my dad would spend time with me.

Through High School there were times that the emptiness in my heart was so intense, I would loose hope. I turned to violence to try and fill the void. I intentionally put myself in situations that could have caused my death. I had no fear and deep down, longed for a blade to pierce my heart. I was at deaths door…except I was the one knocking, wanting in.

God saw me at deaths door, picked me up and instantly healed my pain. He offered me redemption: ‘I will ransom them from the power of the grave; I will redeem them from death. Where, O death, are your plagues? Where, O grave, is your destruction?’ (v.14, see also 1 Corinthians 15:55). Through Jesus, death (and the longing for it) had lost its power over my life. 

If you feel like you’re at deaths door knocking, God is waiting for an invitation to pick you up into his arms, heal your hurts, and fill you with joy. God promises, ’I will heal their waywardness. I will love them lavishly… I will make a fresh start… Everything you need is to be found in me’ (vv.4–8).

Everything you long for can be found in Jesus.