Acceptance

Spring is in the air, and the hunt for a new home is on! The process is exciting, but it is also nerve-wracking! First, there is the search, with so many things to consider. Is the house conveniently located? Is it large (or small) enough to fit our needs? How does it line up with the criteria that we have decided upon? And most importantly, is it God’s will? There are so many things to think about. However, once a possible choice is made, the really stressful part begins -- The Application.

Filling out the application is not difficult in itself, but waiting for acceptance is. Hopefuls, like us, are put through a gauntlet of questions and each one causes us to try to prove our value. And, as each question is answered, more questions run through our minds. Will they think we are a good risk? Will they think we make enough money? Will they judge our credit fairly? I even ask myself if they care that I love gardening and keeping a home looking nice. But it all boils down to one main question, “Will I be deemed worthy?” That question hurts.

Acceptance is something we all want. We strive for approval. Whether it is with our peers, our family, or a new job or house, we long to be considered “good enough”.  Unfortunately, we don’t always find the kind of acceptance we seek.  Not everyone will like us.  We won’t always be given that new job or house, and if we place all our hope in those things, we will be crushed.  Praise God that there is another way!

Our God is the most welcoming of Landlords. It doesn't matter if we are rich or poor -- He welcomes us just the same.  He looks past our age, our job and the color of our skin.  He doesn’t mind the length of our hair or the style of our clothes.  Instead, He sees right into our hearts.  He knows our scars, our pains and our fears.  And regardless of where we've been He loves us all.  “He doesn’t care how great a person may be, and He pays no more attention to the rich than to the poor. He made them all” (Job 34:19).  What a wonderful promise that is!  No matter who we are, where we come from or what baggage we carry, when we answer His invitation to come to Him, He welcomes us with open arms.  And there, when surrendered at His feet, we will be showered with forgiveness, acceptance and never-ending love.

“And I am convinced that nothing can ever separate us from God’s love. Neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither our fears for today nor our worries about tomorrow - not even the powers of hell can separate us from God’s love. No power in the sky above or in the earth below - indeed, nothing in all creation will ever be able to separate us from the love of God that is revealed in Christ Jesus our Lord” (Romans 8:38-39).

Accepted by Him,

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