Amazing Love

The Voice

Over the past week or two I’ve been loving NBC’s new show “The Voice,” which puts a twist on the typical singing reality show. In the first rounds of the competition, the celebrity judges have their backs turned to the contestants in order to select them solely on their vocal performance (rather than appearance). When a judge likes the contestant, they press their button and their seat turns around to reveal the face behind the voice. In doing so, the words “I want you” light up on their chairs, signifying they have chosen that contestant to be on their team. However, if multiple judges choose a performer, then they compete for the contestant to select their team. After that, the celebrity artists work personally with their teams, helping to mold and shape them as artists. 

What He’s Done

And so I got to thinking about how the Lord has chosen each one of us as believers. The difference is that He doesn’t choose us based on our performance. There’s nothing we can do to earn His love or salvation. Ephesians 2:8-9 says: “For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast.” God, perfect and holy, sees our every imperfection and loves us anyway: “…but God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us” (Romans 5:8). That is truly amazing. We aren’t saved because of what we do or have done, but because of what He did. While we were still a long way off, God saw us and ran to us (Luke 15:20). And now in belonging to Him, He is working personally in us to mold us more and more into the likeness of His Son. 

I Want You

God pushed the “I want you” button in a stunning display of love on the Cross. But the thing is that there’s spiritual warfare over souls. Satan’s also pushed the “I want you” button. The enemy wants you for himself, wants to win you over on his team. And he will do anything to deceive you and make that happen. He will go to every length, wrapping sin up in the most enticing package as possible. So brothers and sisters, stay strong against the enemy in the full armor of the Lord (Ephesians 6:13-20).  “Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you.”  -James 4:7-8a.

Blessings,

Joanne Michelle

“I call heaven and earth to witness against you today, that I have set before you life and death, blessing and curse. Therefore choose life, that you and your offspring may live, loving the Lord your God, obeying his voice and holding fast to him, for he is your life and length of days…”

–Deuteronomy 30:19-20 (ESV)