Behind the Cabin Door February 2022 : "...he shared how his life felt like without God, Anger, loneliness, depression... A life filled with TRASH!..."

This past Sunday, during worship with my kids, God gave me a picture of something I saw twenty-three years ago! I was at a youth conference. I don't remember the speaker's name but he began to speak to us about God's love. He shared with us that no matter how we act, what we do, or any mistakes we made or will make in the future nothing will ever separate us from God's love, Romans 8:38. I'll admit as a "Want to grow up fast and be an adult on my own because I know it all..." youth kid I remember hearing this Bible verse before! I knew God's love and knew that He loved me and loved everyone! But then this man gave our young eyes a visual of what the love of God really means and looks like. He brought out a huge metal trash can that was filled with empty soda cans, crumbled up paper, distorted pieces of items... trash in general! He took out pieces of trash and he shared how his life looked like and felt like without God, Brokenness, abandonment, anger, offense, loneliness, depression...a life filled with TRASH! I remember watching tears stream down his face as He began to share when the love of Father God came into his heart! He was a changed person! All those negative burdens that was choking him left him and God had replaced those things with love, forgiveness, joy, peace, acceptance... I thought the service was over but then he kept speaking. He looked straight at us and said, "God wants to do the same for you! Jesus loves you and wants to take all the trash out of your life that has stopped you from getting close to Him..." Then he laid down on the floor and called for someone to come to him and cover him up with that container of trash! He said it again, this time covered completely in trash, "God sent His Son Jesus to earth just for you! He wants to take all the trash that has been covering your life. He loves you and will always love you no matter what you do. Nothing will ever separate you from His love." The room was silent but I believe every eye was filled with tears. Every heart was marked by God that night. I appreciate that man who was sent by God and gave us youth a picture! Still to this is day I have not forgotten! He is the same God has not changed!