The Perfect Way

Lamentations 3:22-23 The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases, His mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is Your faithfulness.

You can be sure of God's love. It never fails. It never ends. It is unconditional. He loved you before you ever loved Him. You can do nothing that will cause Him to love You more; nothing you do can make Him love you less.

God is love. That is His nature. His nature determines His behavior. God is good -- He only does good things. His plans for us are to do us good, to bring us to good ends. 

Love is an action verb. It is not just feeling good -- it is doing good. Love comes dressed for work, not for fashion. Love carries gloves and wears work boots, and is the first to get dirty hands.

Psalm 18:16 He reached down from on high and took hold of me; He drew me out of deep waters.

He doesn't stop there. He works with us and trains us. Have you ever been involved in training? It is repetitive, tiring, discouraging, detailed work. It requires getting involved in the gritty process of breaking something down to separate discrete individual steps, then building it back up again into a smooth integrated entirety, slowly, make sure each step, each move, each nuance is understood and incorporated sequentially and accurately.

Psalm 18:35 ...You stoop down to make me great.

Just as God does for us, so He puts in our heart to do for others, that they may see the Father's love through us. Love does not allow us to stay isolated, in the grandstand above the arena, yelling instructions from under the shade. Love puts us in the dust and dirt and heat and sweat of the arena floor, walking through the steps of life so that others can see what God is able to do in someone just like them, subject to the same circumstances, disappointments, setbacks, pain. 

Psalm 18:27 You save the humble, but bring low those whose eyes are haughty.

As we serve, let us become and remain humble by realizing the grace of God that empowers and equips us to serve. Let us become transparent to those who receive the benefit of our time and strength by letting God receive the glory and praise. Service is done best when the people served do not notice who provided the service. God is the source, He distributes His grace and love through us, His servants, and as we serve and labor in humility and, at times, obscurity, God Himself rewards His staff, His employees. And He knows how to bless and take care of His own, His beloved, His family!

Psalm 18
v.30 As for God, His way is perfect; the word of the Lord is flawless. He is a shield for all who take refuge in Him.
v.32 It is God who arms me with strength and makes my way perfect.

Loving God, we thank You for directing us in Your paths of righteousness. We elect to walk in Your ways and to not turn from Your decrees, for in this way we can become the transparent gold of Your faithful servants. Just as Your mercies are new every morning, Lord, so we renew our trust in You daily. You are our help, Jesus, the everlasting arms beneath us in which we can rest, even in the most crowded and fretful day, for You are our strength.

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