Does God Really Love Me?

“CONVINCED: completely sure that something is true or right, especially because the evidence seems to prove it or somebody else has persuaded you to believe it.”

“For I am convinced that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.” (Rom. 8:38-39) 

When did St. Paul become convinced of this truth? Was he convinced right after his conversion, as he’s laying on the ground blind ? Was he convinced after his baptism, after seeing miracles, after persevering thru the “thorn in the flesh”? It seems that there is a “process” in becoming convinced. It doesn’t happen right away, but takes time. There needs to be some “evidence and persuasion”. 

There’s a process in virtue taking root in our soul. “Oh Lord give me patience, right now”… just doesn’t seem to work. Before we had children, Judy had a fear of childbirth. We prayed for the fear to be taken away. Well it didn’t happen right away ….. with each pregnancy and delivery the fear would recede a bit more… it took time. As she approached the end of her child bearing years, the fear was essentially gone. It took time. 

So, am I convinced that “nothing can separate me from the love of God in Christ Jesus my Lord”? That’s still a great question. I’ve experienced so much of God’s love over these 76 years, over these 50 years since I received the great renewal  in the Holy Spirit…. called the ”baptism of the Holy Spirit”. God has loved us and carried us thru sickness and health, joy and sorrow, in good days and bad …. He has always been there for us. It hasn’t always been easy, but God has ALWAYS been there for us. God has an impeccable track record of love. 

So I am convinced, but I still pray, “Lord increase my conviction even more”. May one day each of us be able to pray with the conviction of St. Paul, “For I am convinced that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.” (Rom. 8:38-39) And that is very good news.