“The Lord your God is with you, He is mighty to save.
He will take great delight in you,
He will quiet you with his love,
He will rejoice over you with singing”
// Zephaniah 3:17
I read the above verse this morning and it just really hit me.
Lately I’ve felt disconnected—alone.
Not just because I spent Valentines Day as a single gal…that doesn’t bother me.
But I was feeling overwhelmed by everything on my plate—by everything I felt was expected of me.
And sometimes when I get overwhelmed and stressed, anxiety begins to creep back in and I go into my little shell of isolation
I pull back and put on a mask and pretend that everything is ok.
Even though, really, I feel kinda far from God.
And complacency sets in.
LIES.
THEY’RE ALL LIES.
I AM NOT ALONE.
I HAVE NEVER BEEN ALONE.
Reading this verse this morning and a new book I have “The Ecstasy of Loving God” by John Crowder, I am reminded how awesome and perfect God’s love is.
It’s overwhelming and sometimes…but in a good way!
Like, woah, does He love me.
His love is so great and so vast that it can calm even my most extreme fears.
Because perfect love casts out all fears.
In His love, I can do all things.
His love showers me with total, unreserved acceptance.
In His love, other’s expectations and opinions of me are a non-issue.
It doesnt matter what grades I get, or what job I have, or how many people like my fb profile picture.
I look only to Him for approval, which is unconditionally given to me under the blood of His Son.
His love reassures and comforts me like nothing else can.
It’s a place of rest and of acceptance.
In His love, I am never forgotten or alone,
I AM NOT INVISIBLE.
In His love, I have purpose and I have worth.
In His love, I know I am appreciated for being me.
His love makes me worthy.
Inside of His thoughts I am my true self.
I don’t have to pretend to someone I am not because He accepts ALL of me.
In His love there is no condemnation, no lack, no inadequacy, because all of me is embraced.
In His love, all complacency is broken because not only does His love quiet, but His love electrifies.
“The love of God should electrify us, push us to hunger, and stir a fiery passion in our bones that cannot be quenched. Consistent lack of emotion in out spiritual walk can often be defined in one simple word: complacency” // John Crowder
So ya, I think that I’ve had a wake up call.
New revelation of His love stirs me to hunger for more of Him.
I’m starting to fall pretty head-over-heels in love with this Guy, named Jesus
And when I’m with Him, His love has a way of making me feel like I’m the only girl in the world.
God didnt need me, but He wanted me, and that is the most amazing feeling.
“God loves each of us as if there were only one of us.” // Augustine
He’s just sweet like that 🙂
What an amazing thing it is—His love.
I’m letting it minister acceptance today.
I’m letting it cast out fears.
I’m letting it envelop me and hold me and cover me completely.
You’d think it would be suffocating.
…A love that big, that deep, that complete.
But it’s actually the most, freeing thing.
I’VE COME OUT OF HIDING AND I’M READY TO TAKE ON THE WORLD
Also, before I say Au Revoir, I just wanted to add this…
God feels the same way about all of you beautiful people.
The scriptures are filled with His love language towards us and His thoughts about us.
Here are some to soak in.
Romans 8:35-37; John 3:16; Romans 5:8; Galatians 2:20; Ephesians 2:4-5; 1 John 4:9-11; 1 John 4:7-8; 1 Peter 5:6-7; Psalm 86:15; 1 John 3:1;Proverbs 8:17; John 13:34-35;Psalm 136:26
Declare these over yourself today.
Remember,
Its your job to be loved outrageously
That’s a pretty cool job to have 🙂
You will never fade away, Your love is here to stay
By my side, in my life, shining through me everyday
