The incomparable love of God

Full-Disclosure: I am a cat person. I have been my whole life. In general, I like cats. Specifically, I really like my own cat. As a matter of fact, it is the fondness that I have for my cat that caused me to reflect on the fondness that God has for us. Allow me to explain...
We have a rotating rocker in our living room that faces south and the winter sun shines brightly through the windows on that chair. We keep our house relatively cool in the winter. The cat is regularly searching for warmth. If that chair is turned correctly, the sun shines wonderfully and warmly upon the seat. So, for as long as I can remember, for the warmth and well-being of the cat, I try to turn the rocker so that the seat faces the sun. The cat can then sit (and sleep!) basking in the warmth.
Personally, I think this is rather kind and generous of me. I don’t have to do this. But because I have fondness for my cat, I do. And then I consider God... Psalm 16, “In the heavens God has pitched a tent for the sun... It rises at one end of the heavens and makes its circuit to the other; nothing is deprived of its warmth.”
Here I am thinking so highly of myself for occasionally remembering to turn a chair, while The Almighty God has set the sun in place for me/us every single day. Daily, God, in His fondness and love for us, gives us the light and warmth of the sun.
My cat gets fed, every day. Every morning, one of us in the house makes sure that the cat has fresh food and plenty of water. Again, I think this is rather kind and generous of us. Without us doing this, the cat would starve to death. And then I consider God... Psalm 145, “The eyes of all look to you, and you give them their food at the proper time. You open your hand and satisfy the desires of every living thing.”
Here I am thinking, “How nice of me to feed this lowly cat” while the Almighty God has given me so much to support this body and life. My refrigerators and freezers (yes, plural!) are quite full.
Then evening comes and I sit in my chair. Ninety-nine percent of the time, the cat hops up and I allow her to sit with me while I read, etc. Again, how kind and generous am I? I give the cat a peaceful, safe place in which to be at rest and loved upon.

And then I consider God... Psalm 23, “The Lord is my Shepherd... He makes me lie down in green pastures, He leads me beside quiet waters...” and John 14, “[Jesus said,] ‘Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you...’” Even as I “let” the cat sit rest and find peace on my lap, the Almighty God is day in and day out giving rest and peace far greater than I deserve.
Then there are those times in which the cat does something wrong... And it is at these times in which the metaphor breaks down. When the cat does something wrong, I get upset with the cat. I will treat the cat in such as way that all those around are well aware that I am not pleased with the cat. God, on the other hand, when I/we do something wrong (which happens far too often!) handles the situation completely differently. Certainly God does not want us to disobey Him (Psalm 5, “You are not a God who takes pleasure in evil...”).
However, God’s solution to our wrongdoing/evil/sin is far different than mine to my cat.
God’s solution is to become like us and live perfectly when we could not. God’s solution is to take on our disobedience and suffer and die for us so that we would be made perfect (2 Corinthians 5, “God made Him [Jesus] who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in Him we might become the righteousness of God.”) ​
I like my cat. I really do have great fondness for my cat. I want good things for my cat. However, I am not willing to become a cat and suffer and die for my cat’s wrongdoings.
The Almighty God likes His Creation. The Almighty God really does have a great fondness for humanity. Thanks be to God that he was willing to become like us and suffer and die for our wrongdoing and give us His righteousness/perfection!
Rev. Rod Benkendorf, most recently serving with the Lutheran Heritage Foundation, has accepted a call to serve as pastor at Hanover Lutheran Church, Cape Girardeau. He can be contacted at revbenkendorf@gmail.com.