Thursday, January 12, 2017

Live Like You’re Loved



Sometimes I’m not sure what God is saying to me, but there are other times when His message is unmistakably clear. Obvious, even. This is one of those times. And since I know I can’t be the only one who needs to hear this message, I want to share it with you.

First it came on a card they passed out at church entitled My Confession. We read it aloud together for weeks and I continue to read it almost every morning. The words, “I am the beloved of God” have started burning their way into my heart.

Next it came in Pastor Jeff’s sermon from Psalm 46:10, “Be still and know that I am God.” He spent a whole sermon on the word “BE” and one of his points was—BE Loved. This BE is not something I must do, but something already true to recognize and accept. I admit I have believed otherwise because of things said and done by others that made it seem untrue.

Then I started reading a book I got for Christmas and found His message there. “Live from the abundant place that you are loved, and you won’t find yourself begging others for scraps of love.” The author continued. “Living loved is sourced in your quiet daily surrender to the One who made you.” (Uninvited by Lysa Terkeurst)

If that was not enough, because God knows sometimes I’m a little dense, He told me again. This time in a song. Driving to the gym feeling frumpy in my too tight workout clothes, berating myself for things I didn’t say, and regretting things I did say. I was in the middle of beating myself up for my many failures when I heard “Live Like You’re Loved” by Hawk Nelson.

Okay, God, I get the feeling you’re trying to tell me something? Clearly, I need to not only hear I am loved and believe I am loved, but let it permeate my whole being and live like I’m loved. 

But how? When past experiences have shattered my trust. When my mind rebels at the thought that anyone, even God, could really love me. Especially God, who knows every detail about me.

I thought about my mom, dad, and sisters. They love me. They know me—silly, serious, and creatively warped; they have seen me at my best, and my worst. They know all my embarrassing stories. Yet I know without a doubt they love me and are committed to me. No matter what. 

How do I behave when I’m with them? I’m relaxed, happy, content, sincere—eager to be in their presence.

And I think about my dear Kelly. He knows me better than anyone besides Jesus, and has the power to wound me like no other. But he doesn’t. I’m confident in his love, because he shows me every day he’s committed to us. It doesn’t matter if I have bad breath or hairy legs, whether I make his favorite dinner, or if I embarrass us both blurting out something stupid. 

And how do I behave with Kelly? I look forward to being with him, cherish and protect our time together, and try to think of ways to bless his days the way he blesses mine. I can be honest with him and look forward to a life of love, laughter, and adventure.

I don’t have it all figured out yet, but I’m trying to let this trickle into my spirit and into my relationship with Jesus. To walk confidently in His love for me. To use my energy to welcome others into that love, instead of focusing on my latest mess up, since He has made it so very clear I am loved, accepted, invited—unconditionally. 

He may have to say it a few more times in a few more ways before I really get it, but I do believe I’m beginning to get the message.

#youareloved #livelikeyou’reloved #doesGodreallyloveme #whowouldloveme #beloved

3 comments:

  1. So many valuable truths in this post. Thank you. Marion Duckworth

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  2. I am learning live, pray, see myself and others as the beloved. It is freeing. When I doubt myself, or when I think someone thinks less of me I go back to "Jesus Loves Me" I have sung it until it sinks in my spirit. Until Jesus loves me is all that matters.
    Tracy via facebook

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  3. Very true! These are truths we need to keep repeating over and over until it sinks in.

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