open arms

"you don't need to run away to have a fresh start, you simply need to ask." --god

last night i was reminded of how good god is, and that, unlike everyone else, he doesn't close his arms or turn his back when we run in the opposite direction. he doesn't become sullen or angry, and his view of us never changes. he simply stands there with open arms, ready and willing to accept us back, no questions asked, whenever we decide we're ready. and he never grows tired of waiting...

when we do make that decision to come back, we don't owe him anything or have to make up for our mistakes. he doesn't ask us to jump through hoops to prove that we are "worthy" of his love. his love is perfect and unconditional and is in no way based on our performance. his forgiveness is complete.

think of it like this, his word says our best deeds are as "filthy rags." (isaiah 64:6) at first glance, this may seem discouraging, but it's actually very freeing if you think a little more deeply. knowing that we are unable to work for our salvation sets us free to rest in the knowledge that all the work necessary was already accomplished on the cross over 2,000 years ago. we are free from trying to earn anything with jesus. all he wants to give us comes freely. i am so, so glad that my salvation is in no way dependent upon me. i am prone to mess things up, but god is perfect. my role is simply to ask and receive, and even with that, god is willing and able to help. gotta love our god. slow to anger, abounding in love.