by Emily Conrad

Someone out there needs to know that Jesus loves her, so I’ll write it here:

Jesus loves you.

I’m writing this note on the assumption that you need this Valentine.

But, really, it’s me, too. So, I’ll write it again, this time for myself:

Jesus loves you.

Today is supposed to be all red gushing hearts and lovey dovey feelings, but the reality is, it’s February, and winter blankets many of our homes. Sickness descends and orders many of us back to bed.

Or a cold has sidelined me, anyway. Yet, the refrain repeats:

Jesus loves you.

I lay in bed with congestion and a cough and a literal bitter taste in my mouth, and I cannot complete my work today. Even if I could, my cold seems to have spread from my body to my belief in the value of my work. That, too, becomes congested and bitter.

I question my worth. I question the worth of my work.

It’s the middle of the day, but I recognize these doubts as relatives of the fears my half-asleep brain adopts when I wake in the middle of the night. Those fears evaporate with morning, and these, too, will flee when the better sense of good health returns.

Because I know God has called me with a purpose. I put my faith in Jesus, and I know I’m dearly loved and valuable in His kingdom.

But right now, it’s winter, and I’m sick again, and I need to hear it.

Jesus loves you.

As I crawl back under the covers to rest, I believe God does assure me of this.

You carefully observe me when I travel or when I lie down to rest;
you are aware of everything I do.
You squeeze me in from behind and in front;
you place your hand on me.
Psalm 139:3 and 5, NET

Like a kiss pressed to my hair as my head rests on the pillow, I remember that Jesus’s love isn’t contingent on what I do and do not accomplish.

Jesus is the Bridegroom who loves us in sickness and in health.

He loves us when we can do nothing, because everything we’ve ever accomplished has been His doing, not ours anyway.

“I am the vine; you are the branches. The one who remains in me – and I in him – bears much fruit, because apart from me you can accomplish nothing.” Words of Jesus, John 15:5, NET

He loved us enough to die for us before we loved Him, while we were still sinners (Romans 5:8). He draws us to Himself, that by believing in Him, we are be saved from the death our sin would bring.

For this is the way God loved the world: He gave his one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world should be saved through him. The one who believes in him is not condemned. John 3:16-18a, NET

His love isn’t based on our performance or worthiness. God is love, and He never fails. As believers in Jesus, we get to bask in that love. We get to know Him. We get to love Him and let that love woo us into a new way of life.

This life doesn’t always feel amazing. We sometimes want to move the world for Him, but instead find our heads on pillows, maybe with illness or maybe with grief or maybe figuratively because of setbacks in ministry or family or __________.

But even in those seasons, Jesus loves us.

Because moving the world is His job, not ours.

Because as His followers, our hope isn’t in this life. It’s in the next.

Therefore we do not despair, but even if our physical body is wearing away, our inner person is being renewed day by day. For our momentary, light suffering is producing for us an eternal weight of glory far beyond all comparison 2 Corinthians 4:16-17, NET

Our inability to accomplish anything apart from Him does not diminish His love for us. Our losses here are shadows that cannot dim the glory of eternity with Him.

Jesus loves us.

He is with us, loving us, even now. Even when we’re not feeling well. Even when we’re gripping faith with white knuckles as tragedy rocks the boat. Even when we’re on top of the world.

Now, this is what the Lord says,
the one who created you, O Jacob,
and formed you, O Israel:
“Don’t be afraid, for I will protect you.
I call you by name, you are mine.
When you pass through the waters, I am with you;
when you pass through the streams, they will not overwhelm you.
When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned;
the flames will not harm you.
For I am the Lord your God,
the Holy One of Israel, your deliverer.
I have handed over Egypt as a ransom price,
Ethiopia and Seba in place of you.
Since you are precious and special in my sight,
and I love you,
I will hand over people in place of you,
nations in place of your life.
Don’t be afraid, for I am with you.”
Isaiah 43:1-5, NET

Jesus loves His people in sickness and in health, when we’re young and when we’re old, now and into eternity.

I pray you’ll accept that love and let it change you and your eternal destiny if you haven’t already. But even for those of us who have, a reminder is always welcome, isn’t it?

Jesus loves you.

PS – The winner of last week’s giveaway is Robyn Hook. Congrats, Robyn!

PPS – Want a quick Valentine’s story to read? Check out “31 and Falling” here.

Photo credits

Enjoy this blog? Subscribe by email here!