This morning God showed me one of those verses that has knocked the axis of my understanding Him off a few degrees. Maybe it will do the same for you.

2 Samuel 14 is about David's anger and resentment towards his son Absalom. Absalom killed one of his brothers due to raping his sister. (You got to love the bible's rawness). David was angry, hurt, bitter, and just plain furious at Absalom. In fact, Absalom ran away from home and David was okay with never seeing him again. Then something beautiful happens. Joab, David's General, hires this woman from Tekoa to speak truth into David's life. Joab wanted to see David and Absalom reconciled. This woman says something to David that rocked my understanding of God's love. Here it is...

2 Samuel 14:14 (NLT) 14 All of us must die eventually. Our lives are like water spilled out on the ground, which cannot be gathered up again. But God does not just sweep life away; instead, he devises ways to bring us back when we have been separated from him.

Is it possible are lives are like "water spilled out on the ground, which cannot be gathered up again"? Life is so short. We live in a fallen world, marred by sin, and as a result things happen that don't make sense. But even if we live to the ripe age of 100, under the eyes of God our lives are still like "water spilled out on the ground." Why do we live as if we are invincible? Eternity is at stake. I love the way this woman from Tekoa put it: "God does not just sweep life away; instead, He DEVISES WAYS to bring us back when we have been separated from Him." God devises ways to bring us back to Him? Wow. Is it possible God, as the ultimate Chess Master, is thinking strategy on how to help us come to our senses just as He did with the Prodigal Son (Luke 15)? Is this where God pours His creative thinking?

God continues to stretch my understanding of His love for me and those around me. There are people in our lives that we are okay sweeping away. Maybe they hurt us. Maybe it was a disagreement. Whatever. But the God you have hasn't swept them away. God hasn't given up on them. He is thinking of ways to bring them back into a relationship with Himself.

If God's love is this relentless, if this is His "top of mind", than it should be ours also. This occupies God's mind more than anything else. It was the heart of Jesus Christ. To reach and save the lost. If you are FAR FROM GOD...turn to Jesus Christ while you have breath. Ask Jesus Christ into your heart NOW and seek forgiveness for your sins. If you consider yourself a CHRISTIAN, ask God to give you the same passion He has for the lost. God's love is relentless! Don't miss church this weekend...life is short!!!