"We die in so much as we fail of the sight and feeling of God that is our life. Our failing is dreadful, our falling is shameful, and our dying is sorrowful: but in all this the sweet eye of pity and love is lifted never off us, nor the working of mercy ceaseth."
Julian of Norwich (Ch. 48)
It was when Adam and Eve lost sight of God, and who they were to God, that they fell into sin and death. God is our very source of life and being, and losing sight of Him and our identity as His good children causes us to sink into wrong beliefs and behaviors. It brings only corruption and death. Yet His mercy and love never lift from us. His sweet eye of pity and love still rests upon us. He remains the source of our life and the One who holds us in His hand. He refuses to let us go into nothingness and death; He rescues us and lifts us up into eternal life with Him in Christ! This is a finished work. The victory over sin and death is already won. We are saved and safe. We are brought up into the relationship Jesus has with the Father, a relationship that is secure, eternal, unchanging and perfect. We are in a perfect relationship of perfect love with God. And it all began with the lovely and unceasing mercy, pity, kindness and love of God for us, His created children!
"But when the kindness and love of God our Savior appeared, he saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy."
Titus 3:5 (NIV)
A Prayer: Your love and mercy saved me!