There is tremendous relief in knowing that God’s love to me is utterly realistic, based at every point on prior knowledge of the worst about me, so that no discovery now can disillusion Him about me, in the way I am so often disillusioned about myself, and quench his determination to bless me.
–J. I. Packer
We all wonder if those around us would love us if they really knew us. “If they knew the real me, the real struggles I have, the real doubts, the real thoughts that go through me, the real ugliness that sometimes is within my heart and mind and soul, the real jealousy, the real anger…. If they could see all of that, would they still be willing to say, “I love you”?
Fortunately the answer to that question when asked of God is that He would say – “I do know all of that about you, and I love you completely. I know every terrible thought you have had and yet I love you more than anyone else ever has or ever will. I loved you before you were born and I will love you to the very end. My hope is that you will realize this truth and that you will love me in return so that you can be with me for all eternity.”
I love the fact that there is no way I can mess up God’s love for me (and don’t believe Satan when he tries to tell you otherwise using guilt and shame). And I love the fact that though my heart is, at times, wretched and corrupt, I can put my faith in the love of Jesus so I can be with Him forever.
There is no discovery that He can make that can disillusion Him about me. He loves me in spite of myself. And I am so thankful He does.