1 John 3

Be Still: Lord, open my eyes to see the depth of your love for me.

Read: 1 John 3
See what great love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are! The reason the world does not know us is that it did not know him. (v1)

Encounter: Over Christmas, my housemate and I had a lively debate about films starring Dwayne ‘The Rock’ Johnson. My housemate actively avoids them, while I’m a big fan and watch them all. I love a film where stuff blows up, and with The Rock, that’s always guaranteed.

It’s striking how two people can have such different opinions about the same thing.

In 1 John 3:1, we see a similar contrast, but the subject isn’t an actor -- it’s us. The Father (God in heaven) lavishes his love on us, calling us his children, while the world often disregards and overlooks us.

Where you look determines what you find, and what you find determines how you feel. If you look at the world, you may find rejection, misunderstanding, or indifference. This can leave us feeling insecure and unlovable. But when we look to the Father, the Bible assures us that we’ll find love in abundance --love that provides the only true source of security.

This text contains another truth: in our Father, we not only find one who lavishes love but one who understands the world’s rejection. We don’t have to hide the pain of being disregarded when we look to him. Instead, we can bring it, knowing he understands, and allow him to minister deeply to us in it.

Apply: Take a moment to think about something or someone you love – this is a pale comparison of the depth of love the Father has for you! Ask the Holy Spirit to make that love real to you now.  

Devote: Holy Spirit, help me feel the Father's love.