As humans, we tend to be groupies. Everything seems more acceptable when we are part of a group. Conformity is part of the human condition. But something changes when we realize that we are personally loved by God and personally accountable to Him.

We worship together, but sometimes find it difficult to worship alone. We pray in groups, but may feel anxious when asked to be the voice leading others in prayer. We believe Jesus died for the sins of the world, but sometimes struggle to acknowledge our own personal sin.

Yet I believe that if I had been the only person on earth, Jesus would still have died for me.

When we read John 3:16-17, we see God’s love for the world. We are part of that world, aren’t we? But look at John 3:18. Suddenly, the message becomes personal. Whoever believes is not an anonymous member of a crowd. It is you. It is me. Each of us must respond to God’s invitation.

David, a man after God’s own heart, understood something about having a personal relationship with God. In Psalm 40:1-3, he writes:

“I waited patiently for the LORD; he turned to me and heard mt cry.“

David knew the Lord personally. He had experienced God’s faithfulness and could testify to what God had done for him. God lifted him out of the pit, set his feet on solid ground, and gave him a new song to sing. But David’s experience wasn’t meant to end with David. His testimony would help others recognize the goodness of God and put their trust in Him, too.

The Message expresses this beautifully: “More and more people are seeing this: they enter the mystery abandoning themselves to God.” Abandoning ourselves to God. What does that mean?

Perhaps it means letting go of our need to blend into the crowd and choosing to trust Him personally. I means surrendering our plans, our fears, our failures, and even our need to understand everything. It means resting in the truth that the God who loves the whole world also knows and loves each one of us.

Heavenly Father, give us the desire and courage to abandon ourselves completely to You. Help us recognize and understand Your personal love for each of us. May our lives become testimonies of Your faithfulness, encouraging others to discover the same love and trust You with their lives. Send Your blessing upon us. I lift this prayer in the precious name of Jesus. Make it so!

I am joining a great group of Christian writers at 5-Minute Friday. We write for 5 minutes each Friday (sometimes longer). You can read the other writers posts and share your own here: https://fiveminutefriday.com