God does not love you more on your good weeks.
If you've ever noticed that prayer comes easier after a week of early mornings and a kept temper, you know how this belief works. On the weeks when the house is a mess, you snapped at someone or church felt like a chore, you might find yourself sitting a little further back, as if you need to tidy up first.
It's possible this came from the youth group testimonies you grew up hearing, where every story ended with a life neatly put back together. The singing was sincere, and the shape of those stories stuck: first you get it together, then God draws near.
But God proves His love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.
God's love reached you first, at your messiest, and it was never a reward for getting better.
Paul is plain about the order of things. The love came first, before anyone had cleaned up, before a single good week or improved habit. Since God loved you then, your better weeks can't add to that love and your harder weeks can't drain it. That frees your prayers and habits to be what they are, ways of enjoying a God who already wants you near.
Try this today
- The next time a messy week makes you want to hang back from God, try saying one honest sentence to him anyway.
Sit with this
When do you most feel you need to tidy up before coming to God?
God, I keep trying to get myself together before I come to you. Thank you for loving me first, right in my mess. Help me rest in that.
If this has been a messy week, you're already welcome as you are.
Amen.
Every day with God counts forever.
