✞ ✞ ✞ 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. A s I sat there, I felt the Lord's presence with me. He asked me, "Do you love me?" . I answered, "Of course, God! You are my Lord and Saviour!" . . Then He asked, "If you were physically handicapped, would you still love 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 and thought about the things that I take for granted. . I answered, "It would be tough Lord, but I would still love You." . . Then the Lord said, "If you were blind, would you still love my creation?" 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, "It's hard to think of it, but I would still love you." . The Lord then asked me, "If you were deaf, would you still listen to my word?" . . 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." . The Lord then asked, "If you were mute, would you still praise My Name?" . . How could I praise without a voice? Then it occurred to me, God wants us to sing from our very hearts and souls. It never matters what we sound like. 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." . . And the Lord asked, "Do you really love 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 asked, "Then why do you sin?" . I answered, "Because I am only human. I am not perfect."

"Then why in times of peace do you stray the furthest? Why only in times of trouble do you pray the earnest?" . I had no answers ... only tears. . 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?” . The tears continued to roll down my cheeks. . Why are you ashamed of Me? Why are you not spreading the good news? Why in times of persecution, you cry to others when I offer My shoulder to cry on? Why make excuses when I give you opportunities to serve in My Name? . 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 heard your prayers and I have answered them all. Do you truly love me? . I could not answer. How could I? I was embarrassed beyond belief. I had no excuse. What could I say to this? When my heart had cried out and the tears had flowed, I said, "Please forgive me Lord. I am unworthy to be Your child." . The Lord answered, "That is My Grace, My child." . I asked, "Then why do you continue to forgive me? Why do You love me so?" . 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 until the end of days, and I will love you forever." . 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 Savior. For the first time, I truly prayed.

#pitkos #nicoliebenberg