When I went back to school to Briercrest College and Seminary, I had to take an English course. I had been out of school for a decade and I needed to “brush up” on my writing skills. In this class, we had to read a series of short stories. Each of these stories were filled with symbolism, some of which were hard to “see” and understand.

One in particular was about a “simple” man who worked as a janitor in an office building. On one particular snowy night on his way to work, he stuck out his tongue and caught a snowflake on it. Apparently, this was symbolic of taking communion? The rest of the story of filled with other references to the Christian life in many of the experiences this man had…

At the time, I thought this story was a waste of time. But as I have gotten older, many of the “truths” expressed in these stories have become important to me as well.

Sometimes I stop and look up into the night sky and think about the greatness of God. When I do that I feel so small compared to the vastness of the universe. I would say with King David in Psalm 89:6, “For who in the skies above can compare with the Lord? Who is like the Lord among the heavenly beings?.”

The truth of the matter is this: God is so much greater than our minds could ever comprehend. He created all that we see, all that the highest-powered telescopes can reveal, just by the power of His Word. He simply spoke it all into existence. Universes drip off His fingertips.

The Bible says that God is so glorious and majestic yet He cares about something insignificant as us. Psalm 113:5-6 states, “Who is like the Lord our God, the One who sits enthroned on high, who stoops down to look on the heavens and the earth?” Even God enjoys looking down at His Creation. Why?
Because we are special to Him!

God who is infinitely greater than His Creation is crazy in love with you and me. We matter to Him. He thinks about us all the time. According to Psalm 139:18, His thoughts toward you and me outnumber the sand on the seashore. I’m not sure how many of you have been on a seashore, but it is a lot! So how cool is that?

But then the question needs to be asked, “Why does God love you and me so much?” Why did He send His Son to die such a horrible death for us on the cross? It isn’t because you and I are so wonderful; it’s because God is so wonderful.

Deuteronomy 7:6-9 says, “For you are a people holy to the Lord your God. The Lord your God has chosen you out of all the peoples on the face of the earth to be his people, his treasured possession. The Lord did not set his affection on you and choose you because you were more numerous than other peoples, for you were the fewest of all peoples.But it was because the Lord loved you and kept the oath he swore to your ancestors that he brought you out with a mighty hand and redeemed you from the land of slavery, from the power of Pharaoh king of Egypt. Know therefore that the Lord your God is God; he is the faithful God, keeping his covenant of love to a thousand generations of those who love him and keep his commandments.”

The Scripture clearly tells us in 1 John 4:8 that “God is love.” Love is a big part of His nature. God chose to love us regardless of who we are or what we do.

Because it was God’s choice, it is not dependent on you and me. Talk about getting off the performance-based acceptance train! Here is truth to put in your heart: There is nothing you can do to get God to love you any more than He already does, and there is nothing you can do to get God to love you any less than He already does. He just loves you!

Our job is to receive His love and rejoice in His love. Obedience to His commands comes when you realize that everything God tells us to do or not to do is for our greatest good. The God who loves me tells me yes to some things and no to other things. His commandments are not given to deprive me; they are given to bless me, because every one of them is given in love.

I would encourage each of us to take time and reflect on God’s character and love. If you have the change tonight, go outside and look up into the starry sky.
Consider His heavens. Consider how great He is. Then, remember that the awesome God who made all that you see knows your name. He knows your circumstances. He knows your victories and your struggles. He knows everything there is to know about you, and He loves you still.

Share your hopes, dreams, worries, and fears with Him. Tell Him that you love Him. 1 Peter 5:7 tells us to “Cast all your cares upon Him,” because He really does care for you. Remember this great word from Isaiah 64:4, “For since the world began, no ear has heard, and no eye has seen a God like You, who works for those who wait for Him.” He truly will work in the hearts of those who will look to Him and wait for Him.

The Creator of the universe is concerned with every detail of your life. Give Him the praise He is due and rejoice that He loves you.