Lookin’ Good

Yes, we tend to see ourselves differently than others see us. Sometimes we see ourselves differently than we really are. I ran into a former high school classmate a few months ago who said, “You sure were a heck of a linebacker in high school”. Rather than correct the poor sap, I just said thanks and we went on our merry way. Besides, there’s not a lot of difference in linebacker and defensive end, right? Maybe I was pretty good.

Like the old saying, “The older I get, the better I was.” We tend to have our own, biased viewpoint of things past, present and even future. Does your wife think you’re as good a husband as you think you are? Does she think you’re as poor a husband as you think you are? Have you ever just sat down, looked her in the eyes, and asked her? How am I doing honey? Where can I improve? How can I love you better?

If you’re like me, I really don’t want to know. I honestly don’t want to know specifically where I need improvement, cuz then I will be accountable to get better at it. Maybe if I just ignore it long enough, something will change. Besides, I’m not that bad. I’m surely better than whatshisname.

The thought that really bugs me though, is that I can’t play those games with Dad. God knows who I really am. He sees me when I sin, He knows the thoughts I think that no one else know about. He really sees me, and knows me – like no one on this planet.

And what continues to amaze me daily is that in spite of all that – He loves me. Not with a “Jesus loves the little children” kind of love; not with a “God loves everyone” variety love – but with a personal, “there’s nothing you can do to change my love for you” – love. He loves “me”. He likes me. He wants to hang out with me, walk and talk with me, lead me and speak to me. He loves to answer my prayers, and give me wisdom and direction. He loves me.

Whenever our enemy sends a barrage of guilt, shame, regret or condemnation, He is always there for me. He assures me that I am His beloved son, an adopted child and a joint heir with Jesus of all that is His. Nothing and nobody can change that. I can laugh at Satan’s feeble attempts to derail me with lies about who I am. Sinful, yes – but completely forgiven, accepted and redeemed.

Let’s rejoice as men, that God knows our sin. He knows our thoughts, our fears and our insecurities – but He loves each of us as if we were His only son. There is nothing we can do to make God love us any more than He already does, and nothing we can do to make Him love us any less. He love you – period.

I am convinced that we can’t truly love our wives with the love of Christ, until we know (in our heart) and experience the complete and passionate love of our Father. This week, I pray you will feel His arms around you and His presence with you like never before.

For Him,

huz