Love Letters

by Cassie Downs, Christian Blogger

Today marks twenty years since my first official date with Dustin. We were just kids who were clueless about life and love. I can remember hours spent getting to know one another over the phone. Definitely not a cell phone. We still had a few years before those became popular in our tiny little rural town. Rather, I had my very own phone line, a direct line, right in my bedroom. I was pretty much the coolest person I knew. Just kidding, I was the second coolest because Dustin became number one in my world! Especially after all those hours of getting to know one another over the phone.

Funny backstory about our relationship; Dustin fell hard for me in elementary, but I wouldn’t give him the time of day. He was always picking on me, and I wasn’t a fan of Ol’ Dustin Downs until many years later. I’m so grateful that I opened my eyes to see the incredible man that I believe God put in my life to be my forever guy.

Last summer while cleaning out our shed, I came across a tote and inside, a homemade binder full of love letters from Dustin. It made my heart glad to read through them again and took me back to those first years together. Some, were sweet and funny, others were a smidge embarrassing. Funny the things you believe to be so important when you’re sixteen and clueless. Nonetheless, those love letters are a treasure. I realize it now more than then just how personal and thoughtful a penned piece of paper full of sweet words are.

While reminiscing over my love letters from Dustin, I can’t help but think about love letters from God. I think about how good it was for me to read Dustin’s letters, how it took me back in time to the beginning of my love for him. And I can’t help but think about how God’s word does the same for us if we’ll dust it off, open it up, and immerse ourselves within the pages of the greatest love letters of all time.

The book of Hebrews reminds us of just how powerful the Word of God is, both spoken and written.

“For the word of God is living and effective and sharper than any double-edged sword, penetrating as far as the separation of soul and spirit, joints and marrow. It is able to judge the thoughts and intentions of the heart.” (Hebrews 4:12 CSB)

Friend, we have access to a powerful love letter. A letter that can move us to repentance, teach us how to live a life of fullness, how to love like Jesus, how to find freedom from sin through the blood of Jesus because of the love of the father. God’s word is a letter of love, grace, mercy, and forgiveness. A letter of freedom, relationship, and sacrifice by the Son of God on your behalf.

The scriptures tell the greatest love story in history, how Jesus came for you, died for you, and rose again for you. How God sent His ONLY son for YOU!

One of my favorite things about receiving a love letter from Dustin was how he would tell me things he loved about me. His love for me encouraged me and caused me to love him all the more. God’s word is a beautiful story about HIS love for you, and if you take the time to read it, you’ll soon discover a great love for the author, His son, and His people. You can’t read the scriptures without them getting in your bones, into your family, your marriage, your workplace, your church pew, your health, and even your finances. You can’t read a love story like that without falling for the author.

Friend, if you’re looking for change in your life, if you’re searching for healing or freedom, if you’re looking for a miracle, love, or forgiveness; you can only find it in Jesus and through His great love for you!

Open your Bible today, draw near to the Lord, lean into HIS love for you. You’ll never find a greater letter of love.

“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.” (John 3:16 ESV)