A Standing O

Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword? As it is written, “For your sake we face death all day long; we are considered as sheep to be slaughtered.” No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. –Romans 8:35-37

It had been one of those crummy days. I walked off the platform of a high school auditorium, feeling depressed and dejected. I did not connect with the kids. In fact, what I thought would work at the assembly fell flat. I mumbled an apology to the principal and walked to my car, feeling broken and downcast. The entire day, I let this bomb of an assembly get to me.

That night my sleep was interrupted by a dream (I believe God gave me this dream). I found myself in the same auditorium as I had been in earlier in the day. It was empty except for one person sitting in the front row–Jesus. As I walked to the platform, Jesus rose to his feet and gave me a standing ovation! He cheered, whistled and applauded with enthusiasm before I even spoke.

When I awoke I remember smiling so big that my face hurt. God loves me, not for what I do, but for who I am–His child. Did you catch that? God loves you, too–not for what you do but for who you are–His child.

Did you know Jesus gives you a standing ovation? He loved you enough to die for you. I have this feeling that if He carries a wallet in heaven, your picture and mine are in that wallet. Isn’t it nice to be loved?

GOING DEEPER:
1. When was there a time in your life when you could have used a standing ovation from God?

2. How do you feel when you read Romans 8:35-37?

FURTHER READING:
Psalm 23

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Jim Burns

Jim Burns is founder of HomeWord. He speaks to thousands of people around the world each year. He has close to 2 million resources in print in 20 languages. He primarily writes and speaks on the values of HomeWord, which are: Strong Marriages, Confident Parents, Empowered Kids, and Healthy Leaders. Some of his most popular books are: Confident Parenting, The Purity Code, Creating an Intimate Marriage, Closer, and Doing Life with Your Adult Children. Jim and his wife, Cathy, live in Southern California and have three grown daughters, Christy, Rebecca, and Heidi; three sons-in-law, Steve and Matt, and Andy; and three grandchildren, James, Charlotte and Huxley.

  • About HomeWord

    HomeWord helps families succeed by creating Biblical resources that build strong marriages, confident parents, empowered kids and healthy leaders. Founded by Jim Burns, HomeWord seeks to advance the work of God in the world by educating, equipping, and encouraging parents and churches. Learn More »

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