Eden Lutheran Church
Ephesians 1:4 reads, “Even before he made the world, God loved us and chose us in Christ to be holy and without fault in his eyes.”
Sometimes it is hard to feel lovable. We can feel that we are not enough: not good enough, smart enough, attractive enough, athletic enough or talented enough. We can look at our flaws, over and over again, until they’re all we see.
Our sins can make us feel unworthy of God’s love. Carrying sin can hurt our heart and make us feel less than. We look at others and see “perfect people” (none of us are), and our sin makes us feel alone.
We are not alone. Each of us is a sinner. We sin daily, and we will always be sinners. But, because of Jesus’ death and resurrection, we are forgiven sinners. “God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him may not perish but may have eternal life” (John 3:16).
God’s love for you is truly beyond our comprehension. From Paul’s letter to the Ephesians: “I pray that you and all God’s holy people will have the power to understand the greatness of Christ’s love — how wide, how long, how high and how deep that love is. Christ’s love is greater than anyone can ever know, but I pray that you will be able to know that love. Then you can be filled with everything God has for you.”
When we accept the gift of God’s love, our lives are changed. We are freed from the power of sin. Yes, we will remain sinners but live in God’s grace, not fear.
If you would like to become closer to God, I invite you to pray often. Your prayers don’t need to be eloquent; speak from your heart. Spill out your hurt, your confusion. Ask God for what you want: to grow your relationship with God, be able to see God’s hand in your life, to feel God’s love for you.
We become closer to God when we look for God in our lives and thank God for their goodness. We can thank God for the morning sun, the friendliness of the store cashier, a compliment you receive or the meal on your table. When we strive to give thanks, we will see God more and more.
When we surround ourselves with a community of faith, we feel God as we worship together, pray for each other and help each other in hard times. As we take Holy Communion, we remember Christ’s deep and selfless love.
We are all worthy of God’s love, not because of anything that we have done, but because of God’s free gift of grace.
Before God made the world, God loved you.