Love is More Important

I was sitting in a church pride LGBTQ service the other day, and they were singing appropriate and great worship songs.  Some spoke of God's ability to save and power.  However, most spoke of God's love, and that contrast was an important and helpful thing for me reflect on and write about.

I've noted over the years the various trials that I've had to endure.  Over those years, I wondered why God didn't come to save me from them.  In some cases God did by literally removing me from them or driving me to remove myself from them.  However, the powerful arm of God to save is something I've not often seen.  Indeed, the Bible writers also didn't see it often, as the Psalm writers begged for it, and the New Testament writers would endure many hardships and death.

However, God was present to care for them and me.  Even in my struggles... especially in them.. God's heart was very near to me.  That helped me remain steady and empower me over the years to keep believing.

As I reflected on this in the service, it occurred to me that it is much more important that God is good and loving than that God is powerful.  We often see power in bullies and those that control and use us.  It is a toxic situation, even if it can at times benefit us.  Having someone that doesn't solve your problems but loves you in them is golden.  My current romance with my fiancee is like that.  I think God choosing to die.. the ultimate physical weakness.. is the most needed and wonderful thing God could do and has much more effect than if God came in with power to dominate.

So, just remember as you go through your trials that it's less important that God saves you from them than that God loves you IN them.  Then, go and try to do likewise to others.