Who cares, cares about your character
May we never forget who truly cares about us.
I find that, in my own journey, I sometimes forget that I’m cared for.
I like to affirm daily that I am cared for by the Most High God, and that I truly am surrounded by love. And yet, sometimes it’s difficult to believe this truth.
There’s a difference between living life saying we are cared for, versus genuinely believing it to be true. May my words and what I choose to say partner with be the way I actually want my life to look and feel.
With regards to care, yesterday I was having a raw moment with God; I asked Him to show me that He really does genuinely care for me. And, as often happens, I forgot about that prayer being prayed, and continued on with my day.
Later that evening, I picked up a beloved little book I’ve recently begun rereading, “The Practice of the Presence of God” by Brother Lawrence. I highly recommend this little read. Brother Lawrence is a man after God’s own heart, and lived an amazing life of service to God and others. I’m truly inspired by his stories.
In this little book is hidden much in terms of wisdom and living life well. Brother Lawrence helped remind me that yes, indeed, God does love me. And, in effect, Brother Lawrence’s words to me yesterday answered that prayer that God does indeed care for me too. However, not in the way that I was expecting (which, if you’re a believer in Christ, you’ll know is oftentimes the way it works):
“Hope in Him more than ever; thank Him with me for the favors He does you, particularly for the fortitude and patience which He gives you in your afflictions. It is a plain mark of the care He takes of you. Comfort yourself, then, with Him, and give thanks for all.” - Brother Lawrence
I wasn’t expecting for God to show up for me in this way yesterday. If He cares for me, wouldn’t He give me what I want, when I want it? (No lol). He gives me strength and patience to remind me of His care for me. Wow. (And, side note, but equally as important: give thanks for all).
And so, I find that when God (or others) care for us, they care by caring about our character. They care by proving to us what we’re capable of. They care by helping us push towards the people we want to become. I find that character formation, as hard as it is, is what God really cares about, and in so doing, is how He cares for us. And in the book of 1 Samuel, He shows us what really matters to Him:
“People look at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.” - 1 Samuel 16:7
God does not consider our outward appearance to be what shows off who we really are.
He cares way more about the inner character and intentions of a person. And yes, this will mean that how we care for our outward appearance is tied up in how we care for our inner selves. I find that I look healthier and happier when indeed I am at peace on the inside. When I’m concerned with my character, my body and outward posture towards life changes for the better.
And so, today, be encouraged, even if it’s not how you would expect to be. :)
I find God, like I’ve said, works in ways to encourage us in precisely the ways we wouldn’t have expected. And yet, it’s better than we ever could have imagined. Better, not necessarily easier, but for our best good. The best is yet to come, friends.
