Unconditional love

I wanted to center today’s post around this picture. On Tuesday I went to the beach with my friends Amber and Ashley and we had such a relaxing day. My friend Amber snapped this picture of me when I wasn't looking and as I look back at it, I look so free. As I admired this photo I was reminded of the verse from 2 Corinthians 3:17, “For the Lord is the Spirit, and wherever the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom.” What a beautiful picture this verse paints. This verse popped in my head today and brought tears to my eyes as I remembered the years where I didn't feel free. The times when I was so brought down by sin and darkness that I forgot how much my Father loves me. I just recently have let go of some of the burdens I was holding onto in my past. I had bottled up my sin for so long that I began to give into the devil’s lies. I started to believe that I was alone in this sin, that no one could ever relate with me. The devil was whispering in my ears lies like, “If they only knew what you've done, they would never talk to you again.” or “Your sin is so gross and dark that God will never look at you the same.”

Friends, I want to tell you right now that these phrases that may be bouncing around in your head are lies. The devil wants us to feel alone in our sin. He wants us to feel like we are the only ones struggling. I’m here to tell you that you are not alone. When you welcome Jesus into your life and begin to find your identity in Him, you will experience a freedom like you've never felt before. God invites you to talk to Him and give all your burdens to Him. 

I struggled for many years casting all my cares on God. I tried to hide from God like Eve in the garden. I tried to bury my sin deep down because I thought God wouldn't accept me if I admitted my sin to Him. I wanna speak truth to y'all and reassure you that God loves you with an unconditional love. A love that no human is capable of. He knows all of your hurts, and He sees you in all of your dark places. And guess what, He’s waiting for you to turn to Him and pour your heart out. God will never shame you or make you feel less than. I tell my youth girls all the time that there is NO sin that can EVER keep you from the incredible love God has for you. His love is stronger than we could ever imagine. He gave up His one and only son, Jesus for US. He sacrificed His SON for us sinners. 

I really wanted to use today’s post as a reminder of the love your Father has for you. I want you to remember that we are free from sin, death, and the devil when we believe Jesus to be our one and only Savior. I encourage you today that if you have sin you've been holding onto, release it to God. Go into your quiet place and pour your heart out to Him. Let Him hold you as you let go of the burdens on your heart. He loves you with an unconditional love and He will never let you go. We are free in Christ.

"For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life." John 3:16