*******************************************
Then He asked,
"If you were physically handicapped, would you still love
me?"
I was perplexed. I looked down upon my arms, legs and the
rest of my body and wondered how many things I wouldn't be
able to do, the things that I took for granted.
And I answered, "It would be tough Lord, but I would still
love You."
*******************************************
Then the Lord said,
"If you were blind, would you still love my creation?"
How could I love something without being able to see it?
Then I thought of all the blind people in the world and how
many of them still loved God and His creation.
So I answered, "Its hard to think of it, but I would still
love you."
*******************************************
The Lord then asked me,
"If you were deaf, would you still listen to my word?"
How could I listen to anything being deaf? Then I
understood. Listening to God's Word is not merely using
our ears, but our hearts.
I answered, "It would be tough, but I would still listen to
Your word."
*******************************************
The Lord then asked, "If you were mute, would you still
praise My Name?"
How could I praise without a voice?
Then it occurred to me: God wants us to sing from our very
heart and soul. It never matters what we sound like. And
praising God is not always with a song, but when we are
persecuted, we give God praise with our words of thanks.
So I answered, "Though I could not physically sing, I would
still praise Your Name."
*******************************************
And the Lord asked, "Do you really love Me?"
With courage and a strong conviction, I answered boldly,
"Yes Lord! I love You because You are the one and true
God!"
I thought I had answered well, but God asked,
"THEN WHY DO YOU SIN?"
I answered, "Because I am only human. I am not perfect."
"THEN WHY IN TIMES OF PEACE DO YOU STRAY THE FURTHEST? WHY
ONLY IN TIMES OF TROUBLE DO YOU PRAY THE EARNEST?"
No answers. Only tears.
The Lord continued: "Why only sing at fellowships and
retreats? Why seek Me only in times of worship? Why ask
things so selfishly? Why ask things so unfaithfully?"
The tears continued to roll down my cheeks.
"Why are you ashamed of Me? Why are you not spreading the
good news? Why in times of persecution, you cry to others
when I offer My shoulder to cry on? Why make excuses when I
give you opportunities to serve in My Name?"
I tried to answer, but there was no answer to give.
"You are blessed with life. I made you not to throw this
gift away. I have blessed you with talents to serve Me, but
you continue to turn away. I have revealed My Word to you,
but you do not gain in knowledge. I have spoken to you but
your ears were closed. I have shown My blessings to you,
but your eyes were turned away. I have sent you servants, but
you sat idly by as they were pushed away. I have heard your
prayers and I have answered them all."
"DO YOU TRULY LOVE ME ?"
I could not answer. How could I? I was embarrassed beyond
belief. I had no excuse. What could I say to this? When my
heart had cried out and the tears had flowed, I said,
"Please forgive me Lord. I am unworthy to be Your child."
The Lord answered, "That is My Grace, My child."
I asked, " Then why do you continue to forgive me? Why do
You love me so?"
The Lord answered,
"Because you are My creation. You are my child. I will
never abandon you. When you cry, I will have compassion and
cry with you. When you shout with joy, I will laugh with
you. When you are down, I will encourage you. When you
fall, I will raise you up. When you are tired, I will carry you.
I will be with you till the end of days, and I will love
you forever."
Never had I cried so hard before. How could I have been so
cold? How could I have hurt God as I had done?
I asked God,
"How much do You love me?"
The Lord stretched out His arms, and I saw His nail-pierced
hands.
I Bowed down at the feet of Christ, my Saviour.
And for the first time, I truly prayed.
Author Unknown.
Email: dabomb@imsday.com