God’s Greatest Lesson
April 6th, 2008Before I volunteered for my deployment to Iraq, I had a strong feeling that I needed to come over here to help someone. My wife and I discussed this and both agreed I needed to deploy because God was leading me to do so. I actually looked forward to it and was eager to see what God had in store for me. I armed myself with study and lesson materials to assist others. I was ready to be God’s instrument.
When I arrived here, I quickly found my job to be time consuming and stressful. Additionally, I worked with some people who regularly challenged my patience. Many issues tested me daily and I often felt overwhelmed with work and the personal problems of those who looked to me for leadership and guidance. There were not enough hours in the day and I found myself having little or no time to assist others with their spiritual needs. I even neglected my own spiritual needs. Often I became frustrated with people and situations that were beyond my control. At times, I felt very alone among the thousands of people around me.
Through my blogs, I shared some of my high points and low points but I did not share all of my challenges and triumphs. Moments like when some of my subordinates were wounded in battle or the many rocket and mortar attacks that plagued our camp. I did not share all of the conversations I had with people here who are dealing with failing relationships and problems back at home. My team and I experienced a lot of bravery and fear, and laughter and tears together.
It was all of the things I did not share that made me realize, the person God had in mind to help was…me. I was the one in need of molding and growing. Out of my anger, He taught me compassion, from fear, He taught me faith, from frustration and struggles He taught me patience, He showed me through dealing with things beyond my control my strengths and my limitations. In moments of loss and hardships, He taught me humbleness. During those days when I was exhausted, frustrated, furious, lonely, needy, out of answers, out of patience, out of understanding or willingness and way out of sight of home and hope…God taught me the greatest and hardest lesson that I continue to learn from Him. He taught me unconditional, warm, calming, understanding, hopeful, perfect love.
This is a very tough emotion for me to grasp. I only knew conditional forms of love for most of my life and understanding God’s love and the way He loves us and wants us to love others is difficult for me. There were periods in my life, especially during childhood, when I remember feeling that I was not good enough to be loved. At times, those old feelings make me wonder why God loves me. I mean, do you ever wonder why He loves us so much? Why does He tolerate us? We bring Him pain, we bicker about stupid things, and we often give more praise to our favorite athlete than to the very God that made us. I am not perfect and I have caused God pain so why should He love me? I have a hard time understanding a love that never ceases, that evil cannot diminish and goodness cannot increase, a love that will never abandon me. Romans 8:38-39 says, “Nothing can separate us from the love of Christ.” I read it, I know it but I still have a difficult time embracing it.
God is teaching me…in baby steps. First, I learned that finding Jesus and accepting Him was my first steppingstone to knowing God’s love. Then I was lucky enough to learn what unconditional love was through my wife and children, and now not only accepting and depending on God’s love but also understanding it enough to learn to share it with others.
During times of war, you often see the best and worst in people. This time was no exception for me. In my best times, God was there with me and in my worst times, He was there as well. He was always there to love and guide me. Through His example, I am learning to do the same with others. God has plans for me and is shaping me to fulfill His mission. Teaching me how to love has been His greatest challenge. What can I say I am a slow learner.
The following verses are what I rely on for my understanding of what love is supposed to be and if I use them for my guide, I cannot fail at love. Pay close attention to these excerpts. They explain all we need to know about what love is and how to love.
1 Corinthians 13
…love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always preserves…Love never fails…
1 John 4:8
Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love.
My greatest lesson in life has been and continues to be love. God’s greatest lesson and greatest gift for all of us is LOVE.
I leave you with this famous poem. It is entitled “Father’s Love Letter” by Barry Adams. It contains 52 scriptures and is an intimate message from God to You.
Father’s Love Letter
My Child ~
You may not know me, but I know everything about you ~ Psalm 139:1
I know when you sit down and when you rise up ~ Psalm 139:2
I am familiar with all your ways ~ Psalm 139:3
Even the very hairs on your head are numbered ~ Matthew 10:29-31
For you were made in my image ~ Genesis 1:27
In me you live and move and have your being ~ Acts 17:28
For you are my offspring ~ Acts 17:28
I knew you even before you were conceived ~ Jeremiah 1:4-5
I chose you when I planned creation ~ Ephesians 1:11-12
You were not a mistake, for all your days are written in my book ~ Psalm 139:15-16
I determined the exact time of your birth and where you would live ~ Acts 17:26
You are fearfully and wonderfully made ~ Psalm 139:14
I knit you together in your mother’s womb ~ Psalm 139:13
And brought you forth on the day you were born ~ Psalm 71:6
I have been misrepresented by those who don’t know me ~ John 8:4144
I am not distant and angry, but am the complete expression of love ~ 1 John 4:16
And it is my desire to lavish my love on you ~ 1 John 3:1
Simply because you are my child and I am your father ~ 1 John 3:1
I offer you more than your earthly father ever could ~ Matthew 7:11
For I am the perfect father ~ Matthew 5:48
Every good gift that you receive comes from my hand ~ James 1:17
For I am your provider and I meet all your needs ~ Matthew 6:31-33
My plan for your future has always been filled with hope ~ Jeremiah 29:11
Because I love you with an everlasting love ~ Jeremiah 31:3
My thoughts toward you are countless as the sand on the seashore ~ Psalm 139:17-18
And I rejoice over you with singing ~ Zephaniah 3:17
I will never stop doing good to you ~ Jeremiah 32:40
For you are my treasured possession ~ Exodus 19:5
I desire to establish you with all my heart and all my soul ~ Jeremiah 32:41
And I want to show you great and marvelous things ~ Jeremiah 33:3
If you seek me with all your heart, you will find me ~ Deuteronomy 4:29
Delight in me and I will give you the desires of your heart ~ Psalm 37:4
For it is I who gave you those desires ~ Philippians 2:13
I am able to do more for you than you could possibly imagine ~ Ephesians 3:20
For I am your greatest encourager ~ 2 Thessalonians 2:16-17
I am also the Father who comforts you in all your troubles ~ 2 Corinthians 1:3-4
When you are brokenhearted, I am close to you ~ Psalm 34:18
As a shepherd carries a lamb, I have carried you close to my heart ~ Isaiah 40:11
One day I will wipe away every tear from your eyes ~ Revelation 21:3-4
And I’ll take away all the pain you have suffered on this earth ~ Revelation 21:3-4
I am your Father, and I love you even as I love my son, Jesus ~ John 17:23
For in Jesus, my love for you is revealed ~ John 17:26
He is the exact representation of my being ~ Hebrews 1:3
He came to demonstrate that I am for you, not against you ~ Romans 8:31
And to tell you that I am not counting your sins ~ 2 Corinthians 5:18-19
Jesus died so that you and I could be reconciled ~ 2 Corinthians 5:18-19
His death was the ultimate expression of my love for you ~ 1 John 4:10
I gave up everything I loved that I might gain your love ~ Romans 8:31-32
If you receive the gift of my son Jesus, you receive me ~ 1 John 2:23
And nothing will ever separate you from my love again ~ Romans 8:38-39
Come home and I’ll throw the biggest party heaven has ever seen ~ Luke 15:7
I have always been Father, and will always be Father ~ Ephesians 3:14-15
My question is ~ Will you be my child? ~ John 1:12-13
I am waiting for you ~ Luke 15:11-32
Love, Your Dad, Almighty GodA Father’s Love Letter is owned and copyrighted by Barry Adams.