Magnificent!

But in your hearts honor Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect, 1 Peter 3:15 (ESV)

This red stag is a magnificent creature, wouldn’t you agree? Sometimes we see things and there just are not enough words in our vocabulary to accurately describe our thoughts and feelings. How about a long-awaited newborn baby? We can see baby birds in a nest and say, “How sweet!” We can play with a litter of puppies and feel joyfully overwhelmed with their wagging tails and wet little tongues. We can hear a doe calling for her fawns to stop frolicking in the field and return to her and we sense a mother’s protection for her young.

Describe the love of Jesus. What words do we use to create a picture for someone else? There have been days when my actions spoke louder than any words. However, I have found myself in situations where words were necessary. I have stumbled—especially when I have been caught off guard. There have also been other times when I described my loving Savior with ease. I might have said something like this:

“Forty years ago, you would not have liked me! We would not have had this conversation because you would not have seen much JESUS in me. I was sarcastic, judgmental, and doing a social climbing routine. What you see today is the result of my surrender. I got tired of trying to do things my way and honestly, I was not successful at it. I was trying to figure everything out and please everyone around me. Talk about being worn out and exhausted! But that was when I tried even harder.

One day I sat crying and with fist raised, I yelled, “Why won’t You help me?” An audible voice spoke to me and said, “Because you have never sincerely asked Me.” That was the day it dawned on me that nothing would ever change if nothing changed within me.

He loved me when I was unlovable and was totally lost in sin. That was the first day that I ever felt true peace. The old me was left behind. The new me had to face the consequences of what I had done and where I had been but I was not alone. His love grew and grew in my heart.”

I would say that the transformation was magnificent but I will let you make that call. My Jesus is love!

Let Me Tell You About My Jesus

Heavenly Father, thank You for Your love. You loved us enough to die for us. That kind of love is still baffling. Help us to be magnificently like You. AMEN.

 Photograph: Michael Johnston