For God so loved the world that He gave His only Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have eternal life. —John 3:16

31 Mar, 2021

Restored through Love

by Sidhara Udalagama

Good morning!

Today, you can open your eyes and face the day ahead knowing that God loves you.

His love for you is everlasting (Jeremiah 31:3); it is a steadfast love (Psalm 118:1) that cannot be changed or separated (Romans 8:39).

Whoever you are, wherever you come from, whatever you’ve done—you are loved by God!

In John 3:16, we see that God’s love for us moved Him to action. That’s what love looks like. It acts. It gives. God the Father gave His one and only Son Jesus to die a sinner’s death on a cross, so that we may be restored to eternal life with Him.

We have been restored through love.

When we understand how much we have been loved and restored, we too are moved to action.

Esther and her husband Pedro are both graduates of the Compassion Sponsorship Program. Pedro is a pastor in his local church in Bolivia, where he heard Maria’s story. Maria grew up in a violent home, often witnessing harrowing arguments between her parents. After her parents separated, Maria went to live with her aunt and her family who encouraged Maria into prostitution. Maria resisted, instead finding comfort and strength at the Compassion centre, away from her difficult home life. But she told no one about her struggles. With the practical and spiritual support Maria received from the Compassion program, she went on to graduate top of her class.

Finally feeling able to confide in her pastor, Maria told Pedro about her living situation. Pedro and Esther were moved to action. They opened their hearts and their home to Maria and took her in to live with them, treating her as their very own child.

Esther says, “I feel happy how God makes us part of His restoring work. I feel happy because it’s a privilege that He allows us to help Maria with everything He gave us. It’s a joy for me. It makes me happy to know that a person is happy and that we could help in at least a little part to create that joy.”

When we stop to think of how much love and restoration God has poured into our lives, we too are moved to be part of God’s restorative work.

Maria’s life has taken an extraordinary turn since being a part of Pedro and Esther’s family. She now experiences the beauty of being loved and cared for.

With bright eyes and a wide smile, Maria exclaims, “They are now not only my pastors and friends, but they are also my parents. God is too good. The pastor trusts me and encourages me very much, and that is important for me. I am very thankful for the family I have now. They love me a lot. Everything they have accomplished, their life and their story helps me too. I'm very blessed. Both are important and valuable to me. I can’t believe they can love me so much.”

Love made a way for us. Now we can follow God’s lead and share His love with the people around us.

It’s a good day to know you are loved!

Prayer

Father, thank You that You showed me the ultimate act of love when You sent Jesus to die on the cross for my sins. Thank You that Your love is eternal and everlasting, that it is unconditional and unchanging. Help me to not just receive Your love but to also be a vessel through which Your love is shared to many people. Amen.

Reflection Question:

Do you ever feel you are beyond the love of God? How can you use the truth of God’s Word to recognise your value to Him?

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