One day, I woke up early in the morning to watch the sunrise. Ah! The beauty of God’s creation is beyond description. As I watched, I praised God for His beautiful work. As I sat there, I felt the Lord’s presence with me. He asked me, “Do you love Me?” I answered “Of course God! You are my Lord and Savior!”
Then He asked, “If you were physically handicapped, would you still love Me?” I was perplexed, I looked down upon my arms, legs, the rest of my body, and wondered how many things I wouldn’t be able to do, the things that 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 I without being able to see? Then I thought of all the blind people in the world and how many of them still love God and His creation. So I answered, “It’s hard to think of it Lord, but I would still love You.”
The Lord 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 isn’t merely using our ears but our hearts. I answered, “It would be tough Lord, but I would listen to Your Word.”
Then the Lord 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 isn’t always with a song, but we are persecuted, we give God praise with our word of thanks. So I answered, “Though I couldn’t physically sing, but I would still praise Your Name.”
And the Lord asked, “Do you really love Me?” With courage and strong conviction, I answered boldly. “Yes Lord! I Love You because You are the One and True God!” I thought I answered well. But God asked, “Then why do you sin?” I answered, “Because I’m only human I’m 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 answer only tears. The Lord continued, “Why only sing at fellowships and retreats? Why seek Me only in times of worship? Why ask things so unfaithfully and selfishly?” 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 on? Why make excuses when I give opportunities to serve in My Name?” I tried to answer, but there was no answer I could give.
“You are blessed with life, I made not to throw this gift away. I have blessed you with talents to serve, but you continue to turn away. I have revealed My Word to you, but you don’t gain 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 servants, but you sat idly by as they were pushed away. I have heard your prayers, and I’ve answered them all.”
The Lord asked me, “Do you truly love Me?” I couldn’t 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 loud and the tears had flowed? I said, “Please forgive me Lord. I’m 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’ll never abandon you. When you cry, I’ll have compassion and cry with you. When you shout with joy, I’ll laugh with you. When you’re down, I’ll encourage you. When you fall, I’ll raise you up. When you’re tired, I’ll carry you. I will be with you ‘till the end of days, and I’ll love you forever.”
Never had I cried so hard before. How could I’ve been so cold? How could I’ve hurt God as I had done? I asked Jesus, “How much do You love me?” Jesus answered, “This much” as He stretched His arms when He died on the cross for me. (And you too!)
I then bowed down at the feet of Christ, my Savior. And for the first time, I truly prayed.
Then He asked, “If you were physically handicapped, would you still love Me?” I was perplexed, I looked down upon my arms, legs, the rest of my body, and wondered how many things I wouldn’t be able to do, the things that 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 I without being able to see? Then I thought of all the blind people in the world and how many of them still love God and His creation. So I answered, “It’s hard to think of it Lord, but I would still love You.”
The Lord 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 isn’t merely using our ears but our hearts. I answered, “It would be tough Lord, but I would listen to Your Word.”
Then the Lord 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 isn’t always with a song, but we are persecuted, we give God praise with our word of thanks. So I answered, “Though I couldn’t physically sing, but I would still praise Your Name.”
And the Lord asked, “Do you really love Me?” With courage and strong conviction, I answered boldly. “Yes Lord! I Love You because You are the One and True God!” I thought I answered well. But God asked, “Then why do you sin?” I answered, “Because I’m only human I’m 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 answer only tears. The Lord continued, “Why only sing at fellowships and retreats? Why seek Me only in times of worship? Why ask things so unfaithfully and selfishly?” 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 on? Why make excuses when I give opportunities to serve in My Name?” I tried to answer, but there was no answer I could give.
“You are blessed with life, I made not to throw this gift away. I have blessed you with talents to serve, but you continue to turn away. I have revealed My Word to you, but you don’t gain 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 servants, but you sat idly by as they were pushed away. I have heard your prayers, and I’ve answered them all.”
The Lord asked me, “Do you truly love Me?” I couldn’t 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 loud and the tears had flowed? I said, “Please forgive me Lord. I’m 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’ll never abandon you. When you cry, I’ll have compassion and cry with you. When you shout with joy, I’ll laugh with you. When you’re down, I’ll encourage you. When you fall, I’ll raise you up. When you’re tired, I’ll carry you. I will be with you ‘till the end of days, and I’ll love you forever.”
Never had I cried so hard before. How could I’ve been so cold? How could I’ve hurt God as I had done? I asked Jesus, “How much do You love me?” Jesus answered, “This much” as He stretched His arms when He died on the cross for me. (And you too!)
I then bowed down at the feet of Christ, my Savior. And for the first time, I truly prayed.
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