Reveling in Revealed Love

"God loves you." What words could be more simple, yet so sublime? What truth could offer more comfort to the lonely, more hope to the grieving, more peace to the afflicted? What promise could provide more reassurance when we ponder the meaning of life and death?

"Jesus loves me, this I know—for the Bible tells me so." God's love is such a wonderful reality, we'd scarcely dare to imagine it; but his Word assures us it's true. The Creator who flung the countless stars into space has counted the hairs on your head. The Designer of galaxies bothered to weave you together carefully in your mother's womb. The One who made the Rockies and the Atlantic understands when your problems look like unclimbable mountains and uncrossable oceans.

How intense and intentional is the love of Jesus? Though faultless himself, he took our faults upon himself so we could escape the consequences of our sin. He was willing to suffer and die on the cross so we wouldn't remain forever alienated from God and from each other. After he rose from the dead, he sent his Holy Spirit to dwell in us, thus revealing his desire for ongoing, intimate fellowship with every member of his family.

No wonder Scripture says, "How great is the love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are!" (1 John 3:1).

One of the highlights of this summer's North American Christian Convention was a main session on the theme, "Growing Together . . . in Compassion"—a unique, emotionally-powerful celebration of the love of God. Deedra Mentzer, who is blind, read Scripture aloud from a text written in Braille. Rod Burke, who preaches for Christ's Church of the Deaf in Charleston, West Virginia, signed a prayer that an interpreter then spoke aloud for the congregation. Danna Delafield was joined onstage by her son David, who has Downs Syndrome, as she sang "Sometimes Miracle Hide." Then Jim Pierson, executive director of the Christian Church Foundation for the Handicapped, preached about the compassion of Jesus. Tears flowed freely throughout the service; but as Pierson pointed out, what matters more is what happens after the tears dry. Real compassion leads to deeds of service, not merely sentimental feelings.

In introducing this service, Alan Ahlgrim, minister of Colorado's Rocky Mountain Christian Church, reminded worshipers that "God loves big people and little people. God loves old people and young people. God loves rich people and poor people. God loves ordinary people and extraordinary people. God loves ablebodied people and disabled people. God loves physically-gifted people and physically-challenged people. God loves people."

Come to think of it, that's one reason senior adults are so important to the church and home. Whatever else they may do, grandparents fulfill a vital role as living examples of God's abiding love.

It doesn't take a lot for a grandchild to impress them—just a hug, a smile, or a crayon-created piece of art fastened with a magnet to the refrigerator. You don't need to impress grandparents with what you do; they love you just because of who you are. Grandparents have a unique ability to accept, encourage, teach, and reinforce values—sometimes with words but mostly just by their presence. They tend to see the best in you, and that brings out the best in you—because they love you in spite of the worst in you.

The longer we live, the more we can revel in the love God has revealed to us through Christ—and the more opportunities we have to share his love with others. A grandparent who does this well is one of God's greatest gifts.