Six years ago I wrote my very first scripture journaling plan. My very first plan was written in February on the topic of God’s love for us. I wrote it after discovering scripture journaling on Pinterest during Advent. I enjoyed it so much I found another plan on Pinterest for January but then for February I decided to try writing my own. I was doing a Bible study with some friends and a couple of them seemed to really struggle with the love of God. They understood the law very well, both came from pretty legalistic church backgrounds, but His love seemed to escape them. I felt a real burden to let them know about the love that had truly changed my life, so I opened up the back of my bible and read every verse listed on God’s love. I made a list of the ones I liked best and then whittled it down to 28 of my most favorite. I printed it off and gave it to them praying they would see themselves through His eyes. As many of you know, I have been writing scripture journaling plans ever since, and my prayer remains that each of you would not only see yourselves correctly, but also that you would see God as He deserves to be seen.
For the past few years Lent has started in February so I haven’t dedicated the entire month to the topic of God’s love for quite some time. But as this year I’ve undertaken the notion of journaling the character of God, I felt it was time to revisit this subject. And really, this is the cornerstone of our relationship with Him. Because of His love for us we have a relationship with Him that allows us to appreciate and worship Him for all of His other attributes.
Since it’s also Wednesday, I thought we would start out with some definitions as part of our introduction to this months plan. And God is so amazing, He knew that we would journal Lamentations 3: 31-33 yesterday and that that verse would be a perfect set-up for launching this new plan.
“For the Lord will not reject us forever. Even if he causes suffering, he will show compassion according to the abundance of his faithful love. For he does not enjoy bringing affliction or suffering on mankind.” Lamentations 3: 31-33
God’s love is both faithful and abundant. Faithful in that it is “steadfast in affection or allegiance and firm in adherence to promises.” His love is “given with strong assurance,” it is constant, dedicated, devoted, steady, and true. Then, as if that weren’t enough, it is also abundant love- “Existing or occurring in large amounts, ample; marked by great plenty, amply supplied. It is bounteous, generous, and plenteous.”
Knowing this, why do we ever hesitate to come to Him? Why do we try to go it on our own, why do we control and worry and struggle? We have a Father in heaven whose love for us is faithful and abundant, not indulgent, but abundant. When I think of abundance I think of the security of something never running out, never running low. When something exists in abundance you are free to be extravagant with it because there’s no worry of not having enough. Think about the last time you cooked a meal and you made too much (or is that just me and my Dutch roots?) you’re practically pushing more on the people around your table. This is how God is with HIs love for us, He’s got the big spoon in His hand and He keeps saying, “how about some more, I’ve got plenty here, have some more.” And unlike our appetite for food, which has a stopping point, our ability to receive more of the love of God has no end, you can’t get too full on God’s love.
So for this month, pull up a seat at the table and take more of what ’s given each day. Savor this abundant feast and then share it extravagantly with those around you. You can do that, there’s no chance of running out.
Printable version here:
