NOTHING

nothing (pronoun): no single thing, not anything, zero

“I am convinced that nothing–nothing living or dead, angelic or demonic, today or tomorrow, high or low, thinkable or unthinkable–absolutely nothing can get between us and God’s love because of the way that Jesus our Master has embraced us.” Romans 8: 38, 39  MSG

I can think of several things that are trying to get between me and God’s love today.

I am worrying about my kids.

I am distracted by a busy calendar and a long to-do list.

I’m struggling with self-doubt and a lot of pressure to perform well.

I am overwhelmed by the evil and heartbreak happening all over the world.

I have made selfish, sinful choices already this morning.

I don’t feel like praying.

I’m just plain TIRED.  

There.

There are some things that are trying to get between me and God’s love.

I bet you have some too. “Today” things and “tomorrow” things. Thinkable things and unthinkable things. And all the rest.

But Paul says in this powerful verse, “absolutely nothing can get between us and God’s love.”

Nothing we are worried about.

Nothing that has happened or will happen.

Nothing we have to do.

Nothing we are feeling.

Nothing we have done.

Nothing physical, mental, emotional, or spiritual.

Not. One. Thing.

Because God’s love doesn’t work that way.

These things that seem to get in the space between us and Jesus are not barriers to him. Absolutely nothing that we experience is strong enough or big enough to prevent his love from reaching us.

Because he isn’t on the other side of them.

He is inside of us.

That’s the way he embraces us. From the inside. He fills us with his spirit and wraps his love tightly around our hearts. This love that he has for us is closer than any other thing in our lives.

A few verses earlier in Romans 8, Paul tells us:

“…The One who died for us–who was raised to life for us!–is in the presence of God at this very moment sticking up for us. Do you think anyone is going to be able to drive a wedge between us and Christ’s love for us? There is no way!

Not trouble, not hard times, not hatred, not hunger, not homelessness, not bullying threats, not backstabbing, not even the worst sins listed in Scripture…” v. 34, 35

Jesus is inside our hearts. He lives there, he works there, he loves there. His unconditional, never-ending love endures more than we can imagine.

And he will make sure that absolutely nothing gets in the way of this powerful, perfect love he has for us.

INVITE HIM IN:

Close your eyes and imagine his powerful spirit of love wrapped all around your heart. Let Jesus take care of all the things that are trying to get between you and him. He will embrace you and hold you tight as you rest in his unconditional, never-ending, closer-than-anything love.