Following the Son - Michele Hughes

Following the Son

LOVE LETTERS

written by Michele Hughes

While I was having dinner with a dear friend at a Mexican restaurant, there was excitement in her voice as she shared about her mom wanting to attend church with her that week. This led to a further discussion about the Bible, including her love of God’s Word and how she felt the whole Bible was a love letter to us.

Do you recall the joy of getting a letter in the mail? I remember, as a little girl, walking to the mailbox in anticipation of finding a letter from someone special. The excitement and expectation stirred my heart. I also enjoyed writing and sending letters and cards. I loved embellishing the envelopes with stickers and seals, giving them my own personal touch. (Song of Songs 8:6, NIV, “Place me like a seal over your heart, like a seal on your arm; for love is as strong as death.”)

As a woman, I still get overjoyed when receiving a letter, which makes it all the more special thinking that my creator has a whole book of love letters - for me and for you. These love letters are His Word.

“See what great love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are! The reason the world does not know us is that it did not know Him.” (1 John 3:1 NIV)

Seek the Lord and you’ll find how much more He loves you.

“The Lord appeared to him from far away. I have loved you with an everlasting love; therefore, I have continued to extend faithful love to you.” (Jeremiah 31:3 HCSB)

Have you ever had someone love you so much that they died for you? I am here to tell you that you have - Jesus did that for us! “Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.” (John 15:13 KJV) I had the opportunity to visit Israel and was sitting outside Jesus’ tomb having communion and worshipping the Lord when I got just a glimpse of how much He loves me. Tears flowed down my face in gratitude and thankfulness for what He has done for me. I owe Him everything. As we experience a deepening love for Jesus, He calls us to lay down our lives in service to Him. God’s love teaches us how to love.

“Jesus replied: ‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’” (Matthew 22:37 NIV)

“The grass withers, the flower fades, but the word of our God stands forever.” (Isaiah 40:8 NASB)

God’s love letter, the Bible, breathes grace, hope, peace, and strength. Believe the truth He speaks over you in the scriptures about love, from God’s heart to ours. It truly is the voice of truth.