“For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.” John 3:16
When I was in Sunday school as a child, we memorized scripture. A red plastic wallet-like case held the scripture cards and it was a badge of honor to know the verse and say it in front of the group. After four weeks of faithful verse reciting, we got to pick a prize from the prize drawer! It was like heaven…a whole drawer full of prizes! I had my eye on one prize, a metal globe pencil sharper, and worked hard memorizing week after week in hopes of obtaining this one special prize. I cannot really say what drew me to it but this globe captivated my attention. I flipped open my plastic case and repeatedly read the scripture written on the card. John 3:16 was one of the scriptures.
“For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him, should not perish but have everlasting life.”
Aha! I did it and earned my pencil shaving globe! It was a proud moment. However, at that moment, the scripture was just in my head, an accomplishment for achieving a material gain. Even though I could hold my new metal globe in my hands, the reality that God loves everyone on the globe including myself did not connect at that time.
Memorizing scripture is a great discipline but unless the Holy Spirit is allowed to breathe life into scripture with fresh revelation, it can become just an intellectual idea or theological point.
For the next 35 years, John 3:16 was just a scripture to me. It was truth and I believed it but it wasn’t a reality or a revelation. I had been a Christian for twenty years, but for some reason there was a blockage of truly understanding and accepting the Father’s love for me.
I knew beyond all doubts JESUS LOVES ME. We sing it as children and it is sung over us, planted deep within from a young age, but the Father? Does He really love me and want a relationship with me? He seemed distant due to feelings of unworthiness of being in His presence. He has always seemed distant and evading.
The ways we view the Father God can often be connected to our parents. We tend to view God through the lens of who our earthly parents were to us. However, this view is skewed since no one has earthly parents who love perfectly like our heavenly Father loves.
I have been on a journey of knowing my heavenly Father and who I am as His daughter. He is going after that orphan spirit and breaking down the lies of the enemy and uncovering truths and revelation in common scriptures such as John 3:16. Come on, John 3:16!!! We all learn that as kids but now it is a reality in my life…
For God so loved ME that HE SENT His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have everlasting life.
God the Father LOVES ME. Not just Jesus. I knew Jesus loved me because He died for me. But God the Father so loved me that He sent Jesus. It is His love that pursued us.
I am not an orphan. I am His beloved girl.
Our world is craving love. Our world is full is orphans who do not know they have a Father who is passionately in love with them. This Father is one who will never let us down. He will be our protector, defender, hiding place, provider, strength, fortress, hugger, encourager, dance partner, math homework assistor, swim instructor, teacher and everything a good father should be.
If you don’t know the Father as all the above, ask Him, seek Him, and I know He will show you His love for you. Just ask. He loves you so much.
When I was 8, I memorized John 3:16 and my teacher gave me a globe. The beautiful truth of John 3:16 and revelation is that the great Teacher, God, gave Jesus to the globe to die for you and for me! I understand it now!
FOR GOD so loved you that He gave His only begotten Son that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life.
I have a feeling this Easter is going to be different for me as this fresh revelation simmers in my soul. I pray it will be fresh for you as well as you reflect on how great a love your heavenly Daddy has for you. You are not an orphan, you are loved.
Father, Abba, Daddy, thank you for such a great love. Forgive me for not always seeing your love in the greatest story ever told. As I celebrate Easter and reflect on Jesus’ love, I pray I would also reflect and meditate on your love, Daddy. You sent Jesus to die for me because of your unmeasurable and extravagant love for me. Thank you for being such a good Dad. Thank you that I am not an orphan but a son/daughter with destiny and purpose. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.