Words Of Encouragement To Start The Day ( Monday 1/19/2009)

Today's Devotional Written By Tracy Koweh

I’d Rather

1 John 4:17-18 (New Living Translation)

17) And as we live in God, our love grows more perfect. So we will not be afraid on the day of judgment, but we can face him with confidence because we live like Jesus here in this world. 18) Such love has no fear, because perfect love expels all fear. If we are afraid, it is for fear of punishment, and this shows that we have not fully experienced his perfect love.

I never really understood Luther Vandross’s song I’d Rather, when it first came out. It made absolutely no sense to me that couples would voluntarily choose to use that as a theme song for their wedding day. Well, I do now. I understand it in the natural, but more importantly I understand it in the spiritual. For those who may not be familiar with the song, it’s about finding someone who you would rather have bad days, storming weather, and problems with than to be happy with someone else. It’s about being so in love with someone that even in greener pastures, you would not be able to satisfy your appetite, quench your thirst, or find contentment in your soul. After two failed marriages, one physically abusive and one emotional, I’ve been blessed to meet someone I’d Rather with. For the first time in my natural life I’ve found someone who makes the bad times worth hanging in there until things turn around. I’ve discovered that love isn’t easy but if it’s with the right person and done the right way, it is one of the greatest gifts God has given to us all. Now, if we can find this kind of love for an imperfect human, how much more should “we rather” have with Jesus. So often times in church we hear Christians say, “I’ll praise ‘em if He never does anything else for me”, but the first sign He has “left us” we leave the church. We are so quick to let go of God when He doesn’t bless us on our time table, or meet our need in the means we would prefer. When times get hard we still need to love God. When the bank account looks short, we still need to pay our tithes to Him. When our love ones hurt, leave or abuse us, we still need to trust that He is working it out for our good. Tomorrow our country will celebrate the inauguration of President Barack Obama, because (the majority of Americans) would rather have hard times with him, that good times with McCain. What greater dedication, commitment and zeal should we have for our Heavenly Father. Let’s vow to rather have God over any other person, idol, thing, or god. Let’s decide to rather have God on good days and bad, doing our highs and lows, and in sunny or cloudy weather. Kirk Franklin said it best………….I’d Rather have Jesus, than Silver and Gold.