God SO Loves Me

Isn't it an amazing feeling to know that you are not just loved, but SO loved?  If only we'd return that kind of love to others...Yesterday our pastor shared an illustration that I'm sure he isn't the first to tell, but I thought it was really powerful and wanted to pass it along. 

We've probably all been to at least one wedding ceremony.  Imagine if the bride went through her vows, committing herself and her undying love for her groom, pouring out her heart...promising to be there through thick and thin, rain or shine, til death...Now imagine the groom looking at her and responding with, "Wow, thanks for sharing that with me.  That's really great that you feel that way..."  Now Pastor Fred said there would be some major commotion going on in that room, especially if his daughter was the one getting married :)  But don't we all do that at times?  Here is Jesus, who died for us...who has that unconditional love for us...and too often we do just what the groom did in the illustration.  We feel grateful that Someone feels that kind of love for us...but do we return the commitment?  I, for one, know that marriage is hard work!  (No offense to Justin, he feels the same haha)  That being said, we need to be willing to put even more effort into our personal relationship with Christ.  That is the most important relationship we can have.  And if you have never accepted Him, just know that He is down on one knee, with His hand held out to you...proposing if you will, asking for you to make that commitment to Him, and making His own commitment to you...