Real LifeSample

Take a second or two to read this verse. Now read it again, but this time, read it out loud to yourself. Do you notice yourself stopping at any particular word? Do you hear your voice change at all? Maybe it gets louder or more pronounced when you read a particular section. What may look like just a few simple words at first glance come together to give us a powerful statement. We may know that God loves us. We may even know that God has loved us even before we were aware of His love. But this verse reminds us that God has loved us even when we weren’t at our best. When we were lost to the sin in our lives, God still loved us. When we chose to do things that hurt our friends, family, and even ourselves, God still loved us.

Not only did He love us then, but He continues to love us now. Every time we fall short of being the person we want to be, we are loved just as we are. And not only are we loved, but God chose to give the ultimate sacrifice to show His love for us. God sent His Son to Earth to pay a debt that he did not owe. Why? Because He loves us.

When love begins to feel too difficult or when mistakes make us feel like we’re letting everyone down, remind yourself that you are so incredibly loved.