I Love you Here, Jesus

Today's Daily Reading is from Stasi's new book The Ladder of Love, releasing on October 6 — pre-order your copy today!

When our prayers are answered in the way we are contending for them to be, we experience joy and our faith is strengthened. But when our prayers are not answered— even then, friends, our faith can deepen.

There’s so much to talk about here because we all have known unanswered prayers, or the answer “no,” or even what feels like silence from God. We have all experienced that and perhaps are even now in a season of confusion and wrestling. That can be a painful time.

There is hope, friends. God has promised that He will never abandon us, and He is faithful to His word. He is faithful to His flock.

One of the most disarming and powerful things we can do in painful times is to love God right in the middle of whatever we are feeling, be it grief, disappointment, confusion, or distance. Feel it. Go right into the center of it and love Him from there. Simply say, “I love You, Jesus. I love You, God. Right here and right now, I love You.”

We may not understand why certain things unfold the way they do. In fact, that is a certainty. Life is full of mystery. As we mature, it is possible to be comfortable with that reality. The not knowing. The not understanding. The not being able to figure it out but being able to rest in the comfort of being held within the folds of the cloak of the Good Shepherd nonetheless.

His heart is good. He is for us. We are loved. We do not have to walk any path alone, and even in seasons of travail, we can draw close to Jesus and know Him in ways that deepen our love for Him.

Let me say this as it is most important: Prayer is a way to partner with God and get things done, yes, but God is primarily concerned with our own sanctification and deepening relationship with Him. When we pray, we are connecting with the heart of God and hastening that deepening.

Want more?  Pre-order your copy of The Ladder of Love today