Category Archives: God’s Love

by | September 14, 2023 · 4:35 pm

Does God Care?

What Jesus’ raising of Lazarus says about God’s heart.

Jesus raising Lazarus in stained glass window (Chartres Cathedral, France)

“When Jesus saw her weeping, and the Jews who came with her also weeping, he was greatly disturbed in spirit and deeply moved.”

John 11:33

Normally, the well-known story of Jesus’ raising Lazarus from the dead (John 11:1-43) is told as evidence of the miraculous power of Jesus Christ. It also vividly illustrates the hope of all Christians. God the Father will give eternal life to all those who put their faith in God’s son, Jesus, the promised Messiah and Savior of the world (11:25, 41). All this is true to the biblical story. But there is more.

When we pay attention to the emotion of the story, we can also perceive the heart of God. John tells us that Jesus “loved Mary, Martha, and Lazarus” (John 11:5). After Lazarus’s death, when he spoke with Mary and the others who were grieving, he himself was “deeply moved in spirit and was troubled” (11:33). Then, when he saw the tomb of Lazarus, “Jesus began to weep” (11:35). In other words, through Jesus’ emotional response to the tragic death of his friend and the grief of his sisters, we learn how deeply he loved and cared about his friends, despite his decision to delay in traveling to Bethany after he heard the news of Lazarus’s sickness.

Jesus had known that his delay would result in Lazarus’ death. Nevertheless, he deliberately waited, because, as he explained to his disciples, he knew that raising Lazarus from the dead would bring more glory to God and to God’s son than if he rushed to Bethany to save him from dying (11:4). But we should not think that his interest in bringing himself glory came from egoism. No, bringing glory to himself was ultimately for the sake of the people he loved. The greater he was held in their esteem, the more confidence they would have to look to him for eternal salvation. In other words, there was a reason that he delayed in going to save his friend, but it wasn’t because he didn’t care. 

In troubled places like Myanmar (Burma), western Thailand, and Eastern Congo, where I teach and minister, sometimes I hear Christians who sound a lot like Mary and Martha. Why doesn’t God rescue us? Why doesn’t God do more to help us? If Jesus would come quickly, then so many people would not have to suffer and die.

Indeed, there is so much evil in this world that defies explanation for those who believe in a loving, all-powerful God. We know that sometimes we suffer because of the sin of others, who abuse, neglect, or exploit us. Sometimes, we cause our own suffering, because of our ignorance, foolishness, or outright sinful behavior. But, other times, we simply cannot fathom why God allows his children, people God has created and loves, to suffer so horribly and painfully, day after day, year after year. 

Throughout time, humans who believe in God have wrestled with the perplexing problem of evil. If God is both good and all-powerful, why does evil exist? Why does God not intervene to alleviate human suffering and put an end to evil? In the Bible, the Apostle Paul taught that the whole world is under the curse of sin and will not be delivered until Jesus returns, when God will save all those who put their trust in him (Romans 8:22-30). But why did God create a world in which evil even exists, and why doesn’t God do more to rescue his loved ones from their suffering while they wait for Jesus’ return?

Some theologians suggest that the explanation for human suffering lies in God’s decision to give humans freedom. Only those who are truly free can love from their hearts and with their wills. But when we have ability to choose to do good or to do evil, to love or to hate, to care or to harden our hearts in indifference to others, etc., sometimes our choices are going to make things worse.

Other theologians speculate that for some mysterious reason, either due to how God designed the universe or due to the very nature of God, God is powerless to stop the suffering on his own. God cares and is active among us but can only produce positive change in the world in conjunction with the actions of his human creation. In other words, perhaps God cannot stop human suffering unless human beings choose to cooperate with the Holy Spirit’s leading to overcome evil and alleviate one another’s suffering.

We may never be able to solve the problem of evil or explain God’s actions or inaction in face of human suffering, but one thing we can hold on to. The story of the raising of Lazarus illustrates that God does indeed care about his children, despite God’s delay in coming to rescue or save us. Jesus was moved by the grief of Mary of Martha because he loved them. He wept at Lazarus’s tomb, because his heart was broken.

I pray every day for God to deliver the Burmese people from their oppression, to provide for the IDPs and refugees in Myanmar and Thailand, and to bring peace to Eastern Congo. And I agonise over God’s delay and grieve with those who have lost and suffered so much. But one thing I do not do. I do not doubt God’s love. I may not understand God’s ways and delays, but I believe that God cares. I believe that God is grieving with us, and he hears our cries and weeps alongside us. I believe he will continue to supply the love, courage, and strength we need to keep caring for one another. And while I struggle amid so much grief and suffering, I trust that God will not delay forever. Jesus Christ is already with us now by his Spirit, and one day there will be resurrection and eternal life for all those who put their faith in him.

That’s the kind of hope we find in the Bible. Not freedom from all suffering in this life or the promise of a human-created utopian society on earth. But an eternal relationship with a caring God and his crucified son, who lived, died, and was resurrected for us.

May our Lord Jesus Christ himself and God our Father, who loved us and by his grace gave us eternal encouragement and good hope, encourage your hearts and strengthen you in every good deed and word.

2 Thessalonians 2:16-17

Photo Credit: Jill K.H. Geoffrion

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by | May 5, 2015 · 7:47 am

I Am Loved!

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I was a broken person.

At age 36, I already felt like a failure. I had accomplished a lot by earning multiple graduate degrees, taking important roles of responsibility as a pastor, and impressing others in various ways. I had an amazing wife and two beautiful children. But in my heart of hearts, my achievements meant little to me. I didn’t feel very valuable as a person. Instead, I kept thinking about being unemployed. Worse, I was plagued by shame over how far short my life fell from what I wanted it to be—and from what I believed God wanted it to be. Not only was I keenly aware of all the “bad” things I had done in my life; I felt like I, myself, was “bad”.

By the grace of God, I was given an opportunity to attend a seminar on the subject of breaking the silence of shame. I learned that what was going on inside of me was far more serious than I had realized. Feeling guilty about our sins and failures from time to time is normal and healthy, and can even motivate us to make needed changes in our lives. What I was feeling was something insidious. I felt ashamed of myself at the core of my being, and when unhealed shame remains in the soil of our hearts, it becomes toxic.

Such shame often produces “weeds,” easily recognizable as products of feeling so poorly about ourselves. For example, our lives may be marked by persistently negative attitudes, highly visible sins, or other self-defeating, destructive behavior. Surprisingly, though, toxic shame can also produce seemingly “good fruit.”

Sometimes, when we believe that we are bad or fundamentally flawed, we try to “fix” ourselves by whatever means possible. We may even succeed at accomplishing much or creating something beautiful. We may hold a highly responsible position. We may serve others regularly and give generously. Perhaps we go to great lengths to make ourselves physically attractive, or to develop extraordinary skills. To us and everyone around us, our lives may appear to be very successful and fruitful.

However, when our efforts are driven by toxic shame (i.e., desperate attempts to do something in order to feel good about ourselves) and not by the Spirit of God, all our striving will ultimately be unsatisfying. At some point, we may give up out of frustration or discouragement. We may keep pushing and driving ourselves to exhaustion. Or, in spite of convincing everyone else that we are truly extraordinary individuals, we still fail to convince ourselves.

When I heard this teaching, the message pierced my heart. I realized that I could never do enough to truly feel good about myself. I am not ever going to find the solution to toxic shame in my own accomplishments. Instead of putting my trust in what I could do for myself, I needed to trust in God’s love and acceptance of me, despite all my shortcomings.

Photo ©Jill K H Geoffrion, Ph.D., www.jillgeoffrion.com
My two beloved sons today

The image of my holding my firstborn son suddenly flashed through my mind. We were in the hospital, the day he was born. My heart was full, and words gushed out of my mouth that I didn’t anticipate. I looked at him tenderly and said, “Son, there is nothing you could ever do that would make me not love you.” As I basked in the warmth of that precious memory, the same kind of love I felt for my son began flowing within me, filling the lonely, raw, frightened, and empty spaces that were etched as scars throughout my soul.

Our Creator loves us simply because we are his children. He sees all our faults and limitations, and He still loves and accepts us. We belong to Him. And, yes, our moral failures and resistance to God create serious problems that can hurt our relationship with God. Yet, God’s love is so great that He not only reaches out to us with loving acceptance, he also graciously provides a solution for our sin that we could not produce on our own.

With new joy, I recalled the words of the Apostle Paul on this very subject. He explained to the Roman Christians that God’s love precedes all of our attempts to establish our own worthiness. What Jesus did by giving his life for us on the cross shows us how far God will go to to keep us safely in His care forever. Paul wrote, “But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners (i.e. before we even showed any interest in knowing, loving, or serving God), Christ died for us.” (2)

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Jesus healing the blind man (Mark 8:22-25) Chartres Cathedral, France

In that wonderful moment of awakening, my brokenness was healed. My eyes were opened. My heart was touched. I could hold my head high once again. God’s extraordinary love and grace had replaced shame in the soil of my soul. I now had a healthy, life-giving source of strength for my life—firmly rooted in God’s view of me, and not in my view of myself, or in my ability to earn or prove my worthiness. I was given a solid foundation of love to stand upon that does not crumble every time I stumble, or whenever I fall short of my ideals, fail, or feel rejected.

Several years later, someone who knew me well, asked me, “Who are you? “I hesitated for a moment, surprised by the unexpected question. But suddenly, I knew my answer.

Who am I? I am loved.

Photo ©Jill K H Geoffrion, Ph.D., www.jillgeoffrion.com

Author’s notes:

(1) Today’s post is a revised, English version of my recent post in French, “Je suis aimé!” (April 20, 2015). The original text was in French, because I shared this brief testimony with the spiritual pilgrims at the annual Cathedral Retreat, conducted in collaboration with the Chemin Neuf Community in Chartres, France, on April 19, 2015. On May 3, an earlier English version was  published on The Full Light website, which offers hope and healing words for those suffering from abuse of various kinds, under the same title, “I am loved!“

(2) Romans 5: 8, NIV. I added the words in italics to clarify the meaning of the verse.

(3) Thank you to Jill Geoffrion for the photos above.

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by | April 20, 2015 · 6:27 am

Je suis aimé (I am loved)

Le suivant essai vient de mon petit témoignage pendant la Retraite Cathédrale, 19 avril 2015.

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[A note to English speaking readers: Today’s post recalls a life-changing experience of mine in 1993, when I was profoundly touched by the love and grace of God during a seminar on breaking the bonds of shame. The foundation for my self-image was radically altered, and my reflection on my experience has become the theological cornerstone for my teaching and preaching ever since. The text is in French, because I shared this brief testimony with the spiritual pilgrims at the annual Cathedral Retreat, conducted in collaboration with the Chemin Neuf Community in Chartres, France, on April 19, 2015.]

Un moment est arrivé dans ma vie où j’étais très découragé. J’avais bien servi comme pasteur.
J’avais obtenu un doctorat. J’avais une belle femme et deux beaux enfants. Mais après la soutenance de ma thèse doctorale, je n’ai pas pu trouver d’emploi. Pas dans l’église. Pas à l’Université. Pas dans un séminaire. Alors ma famille et moi nous nous sommes déplacés de Chicago à Minneapolis, près de la famille de Jill. Nous avons considéré qu’il était indifférent d’être au chômage à Minneapolis ou à Chicago.
J’étais une personne brisée. Sans emploi, vivant près de la famille de Jill, dans laquelle depuis plusieurs générations les affaires avaient réussi et je me suis vu tout petit et sans importance. Je me suis vu dans une situation d’échec. Pire, chaque jour je pensais à tous les péchés commis et mon cœur était plein de honte. Je veux dire que j’ai pensé que je n’avais pas seulement fait de mauvaises choses, comme il arrive à tout le monde, c’est le sentiment universel de la culpabilité personnelle. Non, j’ai aussi éprouvé le sentiment que j’étais, en moi-même, mauvais.

Qu’est-ce-que j’aurais dû faire ? Qu’est-ce-que je pourrais faire ?

Par la grâce de Dieu, j’ai pu participé à un séminaire sur le sentiment de honte de soi. Ainsi j’ai appris que si la honte est enracinée dans notre cœur, elle est toxique. Elle est le terrain favorable pour les mauvaises herbes. Par exemple des attitudes négatives, des péchés très visibles ou des choix destructeurs, qui apparaissent à l’évidence devant les autres personnes. Mais en même temps la honte peut produire un autre fruit bien différent, qui naît de cette honte toxique. Parfois la même personne qui se croit mauvaise, voire malfaisante, peut produire de belles choses. Elle peut accomplir de grandes choses. Peut-être a-t-elle un poste de hautes responsabilités. Ou bien elle exerce des actes de service par sa contribution à diverses actions caritatives. Cette personne met tout en œuvre pour se prouver à elle-même ou aux autres qu’elle est réellement une bonne personne. Il est impossible de se tromper sur ce point.

Après avoir entendu cet enseignement, mon cœur en fut transpercé. J’avais accompli beaucoup de choses en obtenant des diplômes universitaires, j’avais occupé des postes de responsabilité comme pasteur, par exemple, en essayant de laisser mon empreinte sur les autres. A ce moment–là de ma vie, je ne pouvais pas penser à ce que j’avais accompli. La seule chose à laquelle je pensais était : mes fautes, mes péchés, mes échecs.

A ce moment-là je me suis rendu compte que je ne pourrais jamais trouver la paix par mes seuls efforts. Il n’y a qu’une solution à la honte toxique, qu’un seul espoir. Au lieu de mettre ma confiance en moi, je dois la mettre en Dieu.

Nous sommes aimés par le Créateur parce que nous sommes ses créatures, ses enfants. Il voit toutes nos limites et toutes nos fautes, mais il continue à nous aimer. Il peut nous accepter et nous pardonner parce que nous lui appartenons et parce que son Fils, Jésus-Christ, est mort pour effacer nos péchés. Je me suis rappelé les mots de l’apôtre Paul qui a parlé de l’amour magnifique de Dieu : « Or, la preuve que Dieu nous aime, c’est que le Christ est mort pour nous, alors que nous étions encore pécheurs. (Romains 5, 8)

A ce moment extraordinaire, je me suis trouvé libéré. D’un seul coup je me suis rendu compte que je pouvais vivre, je pouvais expérimenter la paix et la joie, je pouvais garder la tête haute, je pouvais me reposer dans la présence de Dieu parce que mon identité est affermie en lui et non en moi. Son amour m’a donné ce que je ne peux jamais obtenir par mes seuls efforts et par mes seules actions.

Des années plus tard quelqu’un qui m’a bien connu m’a demandé : « Qui es-tu ? » J’ai hésité un instant, étonné par cette question inattendue. Puis j’ai trouvé la réponse : « Qui suis-je ? … Je suis aimé. »

Photo ©Jill K H Geoffrion, Ph.D., www.jillgeoffrion.com

Merci à Jill Geoffrion pour les photos au-dessus: 1) La guérison de l’aveugle (The healing of the blind man, Chartres Cathedral, France) 2) An arc-en-ciel capturé à Bora Bora, Polynésie (Rainbow captured, Bora Bora, French Polynesia)

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by | March 9, 2006 · 4:41 pm

The Sacred Love Flow

One day this winter, I had a waking dream of the sacred love flow. My experience has led me to a powerful vision of living life completely immersed in the love of God.

I was standing on two rocks, straddling a flowing stream of water. I sensed God’s love flowing under me and around me. I could feel the energy. I started to shake. The power was immense.

As I contemplated the prospect of God’s love expanding, I was suddenly catapulted into the air by the surging fountain. I almost fell over, the sensation was so powerful.

Then, I laughed. I pictured myself as a little comical figure on my back being held up in the air, helpless to do anything but flail my arms and legs. All I could see was water stretching out in every direction beneath me, and a pale blue sky. I knew God was all around me, but I felt alone and empty. I realized that there was only option for me to escape my present state. I had to dive beneath the surface.

I was afraid I would drown, but I intuitively grasped that my only hope was going forward. It was dive, and take my chances, or remain on the surface, surrounded by God, but completely unsatisfied.

I chose to trust. Instantly, I found myself underwater, swimming freely and looking at the beautiful fish and coral, lit up somehow by God’s light. I could breathe by some miraculous oxygen source. I am completely at peace, and full of joy.

I want to live in the ocean of God’s love, and be filled and overflowing with it. I want to others to experience this sacred love in their encounters with me. I want every thing I do to be an expression of this love.

The sacred love flow is a vision. It’s a calling. It’s a way of being in the world. It’s far from a reality in so many ways, but it has become my guiding light. It is Christ in us, the hope of glory. (Colossians 1:27)

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by | March 9, 2006 · 4:40 pm

A Relationship with God

A radio caller asked me last week what I meant by a relationship with God. On one hand, the answer seems so self-evident. On the other, I realized that each of us has so many different kinds of relationships in our lives–some joyful, some blasé, some dangerous, some fulfilling, some disheartening, some painful.

I have gone through many dark days in my life time in my relationship with God–times when I felt that God abandoned me or was unfair to me, or simply didn’t care. At other times, I’ve feared that God was angry at me for my sins or meting out just punishment. Sometimes, I feel so empty and despair that life seems meaningless and unbearable. Nearly everyone I know can talk about times when they could not say they had a good, personal relationship with God.

But in my relationship with God, I have also known a tremendous sense of love, of comfort, of peace, of joy, of strength, and power. So, today, when I talk about relationship with God, I think of the good experiences, without forgetting the depth of the pain and “lostness” I have felt at times–and still feel on occasion.

So, what is a relationship with God–that’s worth talking about and promoting?

For the radio caller, I simply said, it is our sense of connection to God. A “personal” relationship goes further. Personally relating to God goes beyond believing that God exists or being vaguely aware of God’s presence. It is connecting in a way that seems personal to us–we can talk to God, we believe God hears us, we sense God is responding to us in one way or another.

A “good,” personal relationship with God involves even more. Not only do I feel connected and believe God is involved in my life, but I also cherish the relationship. I believe God loves me…personally. God knows my name, and cherishes me, too.

In spite of all the dark moments in my life, I’ve discovered a connection to God that has given me so much life, love and hope–all the while knowing that I have only had a small taste of all the God has in mind for those who seek a personal relationship with their God.

A few months ago, a friend asked me “who are you?” What a question! Then, from somewhere deep within me a simple answer suddenly emerged. “I am loved,” I told him. Somehow, that says it all for me.

Who are you?

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