Growing up, I was fairly oblivious to the concerns that my parents were then experiencing: money, household, job security, school schedules, and so on. Global and political crises of our country seemed peripheral. My main concerns were playing outside with my friends, reading, and having fun. Looking back, what made our upbringing possible was the steady and deep love that our parents had for us, and the sacrifices and decisions that they made to allow us that kind of unaware, peaceful, and adventurous childhood. That was our assurance.

The way that we have that same kind of assurance in our spiritual lives, as growing Christians, is through the Holy Spirit, the abiding presence of Jesus within us.

1 John 4:13-16 – By this we know that we abide in Him, and He in us, because He has given us of His Spirit. And we have seen and testify that the Father has sent the Son as Savior of the world. Whoever confesses that Jesus is the Son of God, God abides in him, and he in God. And we have known and believed the love that God has for us. God is love, and he who abides in love abides in God, and God in him. (NKJV)

God should be the steady undercurrent in our lives, changing us from the inside out, educating us, and showing us how to acknowledge Jesus for Who He really is. God's amazing power within us allows us to live the life of love, for He is the source. We can say with confidence that love is not about ourselves, our friends' opinions, or what the latest philosophy says. With Him as our centre, we love unselfishly. Loving in our own power is exhausting!

Here are the central truths about God and how He saves us. Jesus is the promised Saviour, Whom we can know and in Whom we can abide. By recognizing and confessing Him as God's Son, He abides in us, and we are in fellowship with Him. Believing in Him and loving others is the evidence that God has taken hold of us.

My childhood was one of complete trust in the loving environment that my parents provided. Perhaps that was not your experience, but you can reach out now and take the love and grace that God is offering; you can believe and experience it. In this new existence, you have the stable foundation that will not shake with the onslaught of troubles and anxiety over the world's upheavals. Reach out and take the indescribable gift.

Prayer: God our Father, thank You that nothing can separate us from the love of Christ, for we are more than conquerors through Him Who loves us. Endow us with that peace that comes from Your firm foundation of love and grace. Amen.

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About the author:

Shirley Moulton <shirley_moulton@yahoo.ca>
Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
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