AMY LARSON
Staff Writer
God is so vast, and I feel like I am always learning new things about Him.
Of the many lessons I’ve been taught, one of the most poignant ones has been one I’ve really only started to grasp recently.
Reflecting on recent events in my life, I’ve been taught a lot about God’s dedication, and it has turned out to be one of the most powerful things I’ve ever learned.
I must admit, as a sort of preface to this article, that I am not perfect. We all have those moments where we disappoint ourselves – the moments where our weaknesses seem more than apparent.
It was in one such moment when confiding in a close friend, that she mentioned something to me that I found extremely beautiful – that God loves us despite us.
I was so encouraged by this thought. Regardless of my mistakes or poor judgment calls, God sees my potential, my possibility. That little comment had made me aware of something I feel I’ve overlooked in the past – God’s devotion to me.
Sometimes I can exemplify some regretful traits such as stubbornness, selfishness, and so on – yet God doesn’t give up on me.
He’s proven time and time again that He’s trustworthy, and yet I often worry and try to control situations myself. Still, He sees me with eyes of love.
I know this may seem like a rather simple lesson. I can’t argue with that; the Bible’s filled with references to God’s unconditional love for us.
I can only say that in a moment where I felt worthless and unlovable – hypocritical, even – God still reached out with His love.
This has given me a peace I cannot accurately put into words. The fact that I am often not worth much love, yet am so greatly loved, has encouraged me.
The fact that I am often not very wise, yet God sees such great potential in me, has inspired me. And the fact that I am not very loyal myself sometimes, yet God invites me to be in a relationship with Him, has overwhelmed and challenged me.
Finally, I was able to recognize my true insignificance. Perhaps this doesn’t sound like a blessing, but for me, this thought brought colossal relief. I am not worth very much on my own; I can do little and reach few.
Despite all this, God invites me to be a part of His story; He invites me to do the things He’s doing, and to reach the people to whom He’s reaching out.
It can be hard, especially in an atmosphere of excellence like Pepperdine, to accept the fact that you can’t do much of any significance on your own; however, I challenge you to consider this exact thought.
Instead of allowing such an idea to discourage you, recognize that God’s grace is sufficient, and that His power works best in weakness (2 Corinthians 12).
I am learning that when I am humbled enough to recognize my insignificance, I allow God – in his immeasurable love and faithfulness – to create something significant in and through me.
09-27-2007
