“This is how much God loved the world: He gave his Son, his one and only Son. And this is why: so that no one need be destroyed; by believing in him, anyone can have a whole and lasting life. God didn’t go to all the trouble of sending his Son merely to point an accusing finger, telling the world how bad it was. He came to help, to put the world right again.” John 3:16-18 Message Version

Found on poster boards at football games and tucked into the edges of cups at In and Out Burger (or at least they used to be, I haven’t checked lately), this compact verse holds the essence of God’s heart.

It is about His love.

His love for you, for me and for whoever you see today, wherever you go.

It is so familiar that our own hearts can skip over the awe-inspiring wonder of it: God loves this world and every person in it, so much so, that He gave of Himself. He sent a representative out of his own house to set the record straight about who He is.

God loves, forgives, restores, reaches out and meets people where they are, wherever they are.

He comes to us long before we come to Him.

He loves us first and we respond to this amazing, self-giving, capitol Love.

Jesus did not come to condemn but to rescue.

Who? Me and you and everyone.

That is truly good news.

May you allow the wonder of this all encompassing love reinvigorate compassion for yourself as well as for every other human being you interact with today.