here comes the bride
May 14, 2010
even the thought of a bride walking down the aisle gets me every time. gets me thinking, that is, and for good reason, about choice and love, promises and beauty. the beauty lies in the act of one person surrendering their right to pursue their own selfish goals and choosing sacrifice for the benefit of the other... 'as long as they both shall live'. it's promise is for forever. it's real. it's beautiful. it's really beautiful.
i was listening not long ago to a man speak about the choice we make for God when we choose to 'do life' with Him. when my choices become not only an inner dialogue but a group discussion. it includes being part of community and being accountable for my life's choices. he said that the real question Jesus is asking us as we journey through life is "will you marry me?". that is: will you, forsaking all others, love Me?
it's the 'forsaking all others' bit that I have trouble with when it comes to my relationship with Jesus. i love God, and with His loving kindness and faithfulness, it's not Him that makes it a difficult task. but, boy, do i love others. i thrive on the approval of those 'others' and am spurred on by the slightest inclination of "well done". these come in the form of a smile, nod, wink, high five, pat on the back, props*, laugh, direct verbal affirmation, an "i'll take that as a compliment" moment.... yep, gimme anything and i'll boast of it to myself. it's often in the words and encouragement or discouragement others that i choose to cling. it's the story i tell myself - 'they think you are so...' whatever it is.
Henri Nouwen says (Inner Voice of Love) "your inexhaustible need for affection is an addiction. stop being a pleaser and reclaim your identity as a free self... let go of all these self-made props* and trust that God is enough for you".
God calls me away from the 'others' rat race i find myself caught up in. i'm beckoned to come, be welcomed in, stand before Him, and find myself in the Truth of His love for me.
Nouwen goes on to say: "you are being asked to trust that you will find what you need in [Him]... which requires the death of what has become so precious to you: influence, success, yes, even affection and praise".
maybe that's what's beautiful about a bride & groom - their relationship is a gift whereby God restores to them the Truth of who they are in the presence of their beloved. the truth of themselves as one who is loved. the new couple is choosing life together as a 'carrying out' of the Love poured on them by their Maker.
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My Beloved
(by:kari jobe)
you're my beloved, you're my bride
to sing over you is my delight
come away with me, my love
under my mercy come and wait
'til we are standing face to face
i see no stain on you, my child
you're beautiful to me
so beautiful to me
i sing over you my song of peace
cast all your cares down at my feet
come and find your rest in me
i'll breathe my life inside of you
i'll bear you up on eagle's wings
and hide you in the shadow of my strength
i'll take you to my quiet waters
i'll restore your soul
come rest in me and be made whole
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Matthew 22:14
"Now go to the main roads & invite to the wedding feast as many as you can find"
surrender to Love
December 31, 2009
don't forget to listen to the song! (click on the title.)
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Isaiah 61
"...bring good news to the poor... bind up the brokenhearted... proclaim liberty to the captives, the opening of the prison to those who are bound... to proclaim the year of the Lord's favor... to comfort all who mourn... to grant those who mourn [a beautiful headdress instead of ashes], the oil of gladness instead of mourning, the garment of praise instead of a faint spirit.
Instead of your shame there shall be a double portion; instead of dishonor, they shall rejoice in their lot... they shall have everlasting joy."
IT IS FOR FREEDOM THAT YOU HAVE BEEN SET FREE.
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john 20:31 "these things are written so that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name"
"i came that they may have life, and have it to the full!"
we live. we're good at breathing. we like to talk. we reserve the right to ignore. we laugh and we cry. we dive in if we want to, and avoid when we don't. we give, but often take more. we think we've got this 'living' thing down.
we start new. we pull our socks up. we make goals, and try once again.
the beautiful thing about my God is the unprecedented grace that's been handed out and given freely for 2000 years. really the truth about the gift of grace is that you just accept it. it cost a lot, yes, the cost was steep and its been taken care of, and now its on you to accept it. as you probably know, that's harder than it sounds. we can't believe that God arranged for such a sweet gift of redemption.
"He is wise in heart and mighty in strength -- who has hardened himself against him, and succeeded?..." Job 9:4
the reason why i like this song is really that it's like God saying to me, "I already have this figured out. You're not going to find better. You won't get everything figured out to the point where you won't need my grace. Let me protect you and lead you. I've equipped you and I won't let you fall!"
1 Kings 18: 21-22 "How long will you go limping between two different opinions? If the LORD is God, follow him..."
This is not about the shame game. We fall, we fail, we learn, and we grow. God through Jesus is about redemption, and thanks to His goodness, and the freedom we receive in His love and perfect gift of Jesus, we live the classic Cinderella story.
"You are a God ready to forgive, gracious and merciful, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love, and did not forsake them" Nehemiah 9:17b
His whispers knock us off our feet and remind us that we are held by the hands that formed the world.
I pray for peace, joy, strength, blessing and reliance on a very big God in the new year.
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by your side - tenth avenue north
why are you trying to earn grace?
why are you crying?
let me lift up your face
just don't turn away
why are you looking for love?
why are you still searching
as if I'm not enough
to where will you go, child?
tell me, where will you run?
to where will you run?
I'll be by your side
wherever you call
in the dead of night
whenever you fall
please don't fight these hands that are holding you
My hands are holding you
look at these hands and my side
they swallowed the grave on that night
when i drank the world's sin
so i could carry you in
and give you life
I want to give you life
cause I, I love you
I want you to know
that I, I love you
I'll never let you go
times and seasons
November 26, 2009
Isaiah 43:1-3
But now thus says the Lord, he who created you... he who formed you...
"Fear not, for I have redeemed you;
I have called you by name, you are mine.
When you pass through the rivers, they shall not overwhelm you;
When you walk through the fire you shall not be burned,
and the flame shall not consume you"
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i think it's understood that the prerequisite for healing is being wounded or unwell. let's go from there.
since everyone has wounds, we're in this together. it can be that part of you that goes (and will continue to go) unmentioned. there are so many different kinds of venues for hurt. the seas of doubt, untold secrets, all kinds of painful memories, loss or fear or insecurities that can rage inside. other hurt is in the form of calloused, numb and cracked parts that exist like embers of an old fire in a slow burn from a once furious blaze. it's exhausting. it's lonely.
HARK. "You, my brothers, were called to be free!" Galatians 5:13
the beautiful part of the family of God is what happens in it when a member suffers. the norm of suffering, of course, is to attend to the hurting individual, 'make the bleeding stop', and comfort them in their pain. there's a next step that i've seen and am blessed by within the "family" context: Love joins into another's suffering. Furthermore, I believe God gives us examples and heroes of our faith to guide us through our suffering. God uses others to minister to us when we suffer.
Jeremiah 3:15 'I will give you shepherds after my own heart, who will feed you with knowledge and understanding'
It's hard to believe that the pain we feel is beneficial. I think most of the time I don't trust that "God has a plan for my life". Our society tells us that 'what goes around comes around' and that we offended someone, and 'making amends' will solve the trouble of suffering. There is no doubt that making amends will aid in the process of healing, however, true heart healing comes from .
In May of this year, I sat on a bed in a small one-room building in the beautiful land of Jamaica, reunited with my dear friend Agnes after 5 years. After singing a few songs with her from her small, well-used black hymn book, she asked that I read Ezekiel 37 to her. Though I don't know that I had never read this passage on "The Valley of Dry Bones" before, after reading it aloud for her, I was blown away by the message that Agnes held so dear in the confines of the infirmary where she lived.
Ezekiel 37
God asks:
"Son of Man, can these bones live?" (v.3)
Textbook answer:
"Oh Lord God, you know" (v.4)
God's promise:
"I will cause breath to enter you, and you shall live... you shall know I am the Lord...." (v.5)
Our disbelief:
"Our bones are dried up, our hope is lost; we are clean cut off" (v.11)
God's repeats:
"I will put my Spirit within you, and you shall live... then you shall know that I am the Lord; I have spoken, and I will do it" (v.14)
Agnes: "Amen... Praise God... yes... shall live!! Amen..."
My Jamaican sister, sitting on the same bed for the last 5 years and probably many more previously, finds hope in knowing that her dry bones, her present suffering, is not the end for her. Her God has promised restoration and claiming this as her very own, Agnes rejoices in her present suffering.
Isaiah 5:8 'For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, declares the Lord, for as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts"
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Healer - by: Kari Jobe
you hold my every moment
you calm my raging seas
you walk with me through fire
and heal all my disease
i trust in You
i believe you are all i need
i believe you're my portion
i believe you're more than enough for me
Jesus, you're all i need
nothing is impossible for You
You hold my world in Your hands
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Isaiah 51:11
"And the ransomed of the Lord shall return and come to Zion with singing;
everlasting joy shall be upon their heads;
they shall obtain gladness and joy,
and sorry and sighing shall flee away"
Zephaniah 3:17 "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."
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to be forsaken in weakness has got to be the darkest place. like being kicked when you're already down. "not only do i identify as weak, someone knows that about me, and on the basis of my weakness, i'm rejected and alone".
we live in a quick-paced, cut-throat society that doesn't understand the meaning of grace or mercy. if you're falling behind, you double-time it back on track. if you're Superman or the female equivalent, you pull all that off before anybody notices. otherwise, our power-hungry society has judged, shamed and forgotten about you.
it's good to know that there's a Champion of our cause. a forgiving and wonderful Father that welcomes us into His arms every time we turn to Him. we are granted shelter and awarded grace and mercy through faith in Jesus. it's a never-ending, fierce love that Jesus covers us with.
Hosea 2:19-20a
"I will make you lie down in safety, I will betroth you to me forever. I will betroth you to me in righteousness, and in justice, and in steadfast love and in mercy... in faithfulness".
Romans 5:4+5
"..we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance... endurance produces character... character produces hope, and hope does not put us to shame, because God's love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us."
so what of those living in fear, darkness and shame? our brothers and sisters, our friends, parents, acquaintances, and the man we walk past on the street everyday. i think as ambassadors of Christ (2 Cor 5), its on us to be the ones reaching out and extending love to those trapped in the darkness of failure, or addictions to work, power, money, substance, and all kinds of other crafty traps. everyone's got dark corners. everyone. however, identifying the darkness isn't what we're called to. we're called to bring the light to dark places. to shine and love and be gracious to one another.
2 Corinthians 2:15
"For we are to God the aroma of Christ among those who are being saved and those who are perishing."
Ecclesiastes 4:10
"If one falls down, his friend can help him up. But, pity the man who falls and has no one to help him."
The truth is that we are saved from condemnation and are never in the position to administer justice, wrath or shame on others. We are freed slaves of sin. Let us, in our freedom, knowing that Jesus has loved us and "rises to have mercy on us", be agents of that Light we've seen.
Chronicles 7:14 (God talking)
"if my people, who are called by my Name... shall humble themselves... pray, seek, crave and 'require of necessity' my face... and turn from their wicked ways, then, I will hear from heaven, forgive their sin, and... heal their land."
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You Are for Me - Kari Jobe
so loving and so true
so powerful in all you do
you fill me, you see me
you know my every move
you love for me to sing to you
I know that you are for me
I know that you are for me
I know that you will never forsake me in my weakness
I know that you have come down
Even if to write upon my heart
To remind me of who you are
so patient, so gracious
so merciful and true
so wonderful in all you do
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Ephesians 3:16-18
"I pray that out of His glorious riches He may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the saints, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ."
face down
November 11, 2009
PJ: what's the theme?
Me: it's about finding your place flat on your face...
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I Chronicles 16:11, 27-36
King David's (& Rachel's) Song of Thanks
"Seek the Lord and his strength; seek his presence continually!
Splendor and majesty are before him; strength and joy are in his place.
Ascribe to the Lord glory and strength... the glory due his name;
Worship the Lord in the splendor of his holiness; tremble before him, all the earth;
yes, the world is established; it shall never be moved.
Let the heavens be glad, and let the earth rejoice, and let them say among the nations,
"The Lord reigns!"
Let the sea roar, and all that fills it; let the field exult and everything in it!
Then shall the trees of the forest sing for joy before the Lord,
for he come to judge the earth.
Oh give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; for his steadfast love endures forever!"
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Joshua 5:14-15
Commander: "...I am the commander of the army of the Lord. Now I have come."
Joshua: (falls on his face 'to the earth') "What does my lord say to his servant?"
Commander: "Take off your sandals from your feet, for the place where you are standing is holy"
I think there's a beautiful truth that is acted out when people hit the dirt in God's presence. Sometimes all of a sudden we are struck by the contrast of God's greatness and our insignificance, and our efforts are in vain as we can't get low enough. Face down. Silent. Pleading. Surrendered.
There's a thick blank page at the back of my Bible (after the maps) where I write one-liners from songs, Bible verses, authors or speakers that have stood out to me, and there I have a list of people who found themselves face down in God's presence. Good examples of sinners saved by grace like Abraham (Genesis 17:3), Moses (Numbers 20:6), David (1 Chronicles 21:16), Ezekiel (1:28), Daniel (10:15), Peter, James & John (Matthew 17:6), the whole nation of Israel (Leviticus 9:24) and Heaven (Revelations 4:9-11). This list, if nothing else, reminds me that humbling myself before God is a practice of those who have gone before me.
I remember being 17 year old and almost tripping over my dad in a low-traffic area of the sanctuary of the church we had attended for 7 and a 1/2 years, who had found his rightful posture between a couple pews, face down before his King. I don't think I had ever seen someone "prostrated before the Lord" before. I remember feeling like I wanted him to get up. I wanted him to look strong, not hurt, not broken, and as "put together" as possible, thank you. But, instead, seeing my dad seeking God this way, completely undone and humbled, taught me a beautiful lesson of God's presence. Everything bows before Him, our King; people, broken, leaders, pride, prestige, power... all of it in all of us.
"Worship the Lord in the splendor of his holiness; tremble before him, all the earth!" Psalm 96:9
"Therefore let us be grateful for receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, and thus let us offer to God acceptable worship, with reverence and awe..." Hebrews 12:28
Jesus' presence among sinners on earth must have been just so confusing to those following him around. It's hard to understand for me too. So, He had to come if we were to have a way to know God, but WHY would he come? How can he love me so much when I'm so broken? ugly? dirty? Does he know that I'm going to mess this up down the road? I'll forget that this gift is so precious, and I'll forget to love Him the way I ought to. I'll come before Him with clanging cymbals and feel pretty confident that I'm loving the way I 'ought to', but I'll be hurting Him.
Praise God for restoration, and one who intercedes for our cryptic messages of confession, adoration and thanksgiving.
"Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of a great joy that will be for all the people. For unto you is born this day... a Savior, who is Christ the Lord." Luke 2:11
"Let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, with our hearts sprinkled clean.." Hebrews 10:22
"... the ransomed of the Lord shall return and come to Zion with singing; everlasting joy shall be upon their heads; they shall obtain gladness and joy, and sorrow and sighing shall flee away." Isaiah 51:11
Jesus asks that we come to him just as we are, with faith, believing that we can be made well in His atonement for us, sacrifice and merciful love.
There is grace abounding in His presence.
"daughter, your faith has made you well; go in peace" - Jesus (Luke 8:48)
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Yours, O Lord, is the greatness and the power and the glory and the victory and the majesty, for all that is in the heavens and in the earth is yours. Yours is the kingdom, O Lord, and you are exalted as head above all. Both riches and honor come from you, and you rule over all. In your hand are power and might, and in your hand it is to make great and to give strength to all. And now we thank you, our God, and praise your glorious name.
- David (1 Chronicles 29:11-13)
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Here in Your Presence (Desperation Band, New Life Worship)
Found in your hands, fullness of joy
Every fear suddenly wiped away
Here in Your presence
All of my gains now fade away
Every crown no longer on display
Here in Your presence
Heaven is trembling in awe of your wonder
The kings and their kingdoms are standing amazed
Here in Your presence,
We are undone
Here in Your presence
Heaven and earth become one
Here in Your presence
All things are new
Here in Your presence
Everything bows before you
Wonderful, Beautiful,
Glorious, Matchless in every way
jubilee
September 29, 2009
It's been a while. I spent the summer at camp, moved my life to a different city and now here I am: back to typing in bare feet.
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acts 17:24-28
"The God who made the world and everything in it, being Lord of heaven and earth, does not live in temples made by man, nor is he served by human hands, as though he needed anything, since he himself gives to all mankind life and breath and everything. And he made ... every nation of mankind ... that they should seek God, in the hope that they might feel their way toward him and find Him. He is actually not far from each one of us, for 'in Him we live and move and have our being".
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The first time I heard this song was in a service at the preparatory staff week before campers arrive at camp. I felt as though someone had been given a key to my heart, read it cover to cover like a book, and typed it out for everyone to read on PowerPoint.
I was exhausted. Utterly spent and feeling overwhelmed by the responsibility that was mine and the task ahead of me for the summer. As I'm sure you can imagine, or perhaps you've experienced, arriving at camp with an empty tank is not ideal. It's a beautiful mix of expectancy and hopefulness. Mostly because you don't have a choice but to trust in God's provision. You won't be able to pull off what's ahead, and you know God can, so you're left to surrender every effort to His care and good plan.
Here's where the desert idea kicks in. So, here I am, parched, and trying to sing. Trying to give from a place of brokenness and weakness. Trying. Believing. Remaining. Receiving. Learning.
REMAIN. The central theme of the summer. From the passage in John 15, we were directed in our discussions and reflection that really it is God who works, and in His beautiful plan we are chosen to participate in that work. For me, remaining meant keeping "me" out of it. Being a channel, clear of hindrance or blockage, to bring praise and to serve throughout the circumstances ("in every season") where I believe, though I forget, that God is always faithful. The promise and proof of God's faithfulness to me, as His child, is real. And so, I always have a reason to worship and sing. I will bring praise. I will rejoice and declare that God is my victory, and He is here.
DESERT: "when all that's within me feels dry"
psalm 119 "my comfort in my suffering is this: Your promise preserves my life"
john 15:16 "you did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit..."
the LIES: You will always feel alone. You were made for brokenness and suffering.
the TRUTH: You were chosen to participate in greatness. You will be saved from your suffering. Your King knows your suffering.
IN MY HUNGER & NEED: "my God is the God who provides"
isaiah 41:10 "so do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand"
the LIES: You will not be comforted. You are always going to be striving for what you need. You will never be whole.
the TRUTH: You don't need to be afraid of what will happen tomorrow. You are safe. God knows your need.
FIRE: "in weakness or trial or pain"... "refine me Lord through the flame"
isaiah 40:31 "...those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength..."
the LIES: You will always be ________.
the TRUTH: You are a new creation. 'The old has gone, the new has come'.
BATTLE: "when triumph is still on its way"
acts 5:38 "... if this plan or this undertaking is of man, it will fail; but if it is of God, you will not be able to overthrow them"
john 16:33 "i have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace... but take heart; I have overcome the world"
the LIES: You will never see victory.
the TRUTH: The battle is won. Triumph is coming. It is here.
"No weapon formed against me shall remain"
acts 18:9 "do not be afraid, but go on speaking and do not be silent, for I am with you, and no one will attack you to harm you..."
acts 10:15 "what God has made clean, do not call common."
psalm 71:21 "you will increase my honor, you will comfort me once again"
the LIES: You won't be able to do it. You'll fail. Your efforts will be in vain. You'll be out there all alone.
the TRUTH: You are God's masterpiece, created to do good... You're not common! You're the Beloved. You'll never be alone.
HARVEST: "filled to be emptied again"
psalm 51 "Create in me a clean heart... restore to me the JOY of your salvation... and renew a right spirit within me."
romans 3:23-24 "for all have sinned and fall sort of the glory of God, and are justified by his grace as a gift, through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus"
2 Corinthians 1:3-5
"Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves have received from God. For just as the sufferings of Christ flow over into our lives, so also through Christ our comfort overflows."
the LIES: You're stained. You're used up. You can't be made whole. And even if you were, God can't use you.
the TRUTH: Grace has been poured out on you to restore you and give you joy. This joy will overflow to others to the glory of God.
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DESERT SONG - Hillsong
This is my prayer in the desert
When all that's within me feels dry
This is my prayer in my hunger and need
My God is the God who provides
This is my prayer in the fire
In weakness or trial or pain
There is a faith proved of more worth than gold
So refine me Lord through the flame
I will bring praise
I will bring praise
No weapon formed against me shall remain
I will rejoice
I will declare
God is my victory and He is here
This is my prayer in the battle
When triumph is still on its way
I am a conqueror and co-heir with Christ
So firm on His promise I'll stand
All of my life, in every season
You are still God, I have a reason to sing
I have a reason to worship
This is my prayer in the harvest
when favour and providence flow
i know i'm filled to emptied again
the seed i've received I will sow
brace yourself
April 23, 2009
k, for this one - make sure you listen to the actual song. click on the title.
i often only think in terms of my specific circumstance. you might say i suffer from a serious case of tunnel vision. i am bound, as we all are, for this time to an imperfect context. my spirit's innocence to unabashedly encounter God's love is clouded and tainted by all my 21 years of living as a broken, near-sighted individual. i often don't consider that the love offered in Jesus isn't overwhelmed by the same rules or boundaries or context in which i exist. i can't wrap my head around it, really. i'm in awe, and i'm thankful that Jesus' love, which is freely given, and frees. it's an empowering love.
Jesus lived the message of his love as he broke some "rules" society had in place. Jesus went out of his way to show that he came to love us. there are many examples...
Jesus welcomed children, and told the disciples not to barricade them from coming into his presence. I imagine they just wanted to run right up and sit on his knee, be as close as they could possibly get to 'the action' as he told stories about seeds and weeds. I imagine if my desire was to be as close to Him as those kids wanted to be, I would know better the safety and rest of his welcoming arms.
Matthew 19:14 "Leave the children alone! Allow the little ones to come to Me, and do not forbid or restrain or hinder them, for of such [as these] is the kingdom of heaven composed."
Jesus also made it abundantly clear while on earth that he had come to love, heal and save those who had no hope, those who needed healing, justice and mercy. Simon Peter, Jesus' little rock, who denied knowing Jesus three times needed Jesus' abounding grace (Matt. 26:75). The woman who loved much was forgiven much (Mark 14). Zaccheus, the tax collector, needed to repent and repay to know new life (Luke 19). Thomas, though he doubted, believed was saved from his unbelief (John 20). The blind would see, and the lame walked (John 9:25; Mark 2:9). Those who had been cast out with leprosy joined society anew (Matt. 8:2-3). Another woman reached out to Jesus and in her faith, was healed of her bleeding (Luke 8:48). We need love, and it has been supplied in great abundance through Jesus death and life so that God can love us.
His love is powerful enough to 'eclipse our afflictions' with His its glory. He is complete love. He has shown all-encompassing, over-flowing, gracious, merciful, freeing love. He doesn't forget, doesn't need to ask for forgiveness, doesn't fail, and won't quit. There's hope and matchless beauty in the restorative way He loves us. Marvel in it. Enjoy it.
The powerful reminder that we're "drawn to redemption by the grace in His eyes" reminds me that it's with grace and love that we are to introduce others to Jesus' love. We, all of us (not ONE excluded!), are not going to be strong enough for ocean of grace He pours over us... if we face it, we're going to sink in it's overwhelming power! (Something not too awful to be 'caught up' in!)
Like me, you probably don't need to be told to 'brace yourself'. I think many of us live in a sufficiently "braced" state. As you take it in, let the message of this Love be the agent of grace that loosens those binds and calls you from out of whatever has kept you alone, hiding.
You're accepted. You're welcomed in. You're loved. You're beautiful. You're free.
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Deutoronomy 4:24 "For the LORD your God is a consuming fire, a jealous God."
1 Corinthians 13:10 "... but when Perfection comes, the imperfect disappears..."
1 John 4:10 "This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent His Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins."
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How He Loves Us - Kim Walker
He is jealous for me
Loves like a hurricane
I am a tree
Bending beneath the weight
of His wind and mercy
When all of a sudden
I am unaware of these afflictions eclipsed by Glory
and I realize just how beautiful You are
And how great your affections are for me
And oh, how He loves us so,
Oh, how He loves us
How He loves us so...
Yeah, He loves us, oh,
How He loves us, oh
How He loves us, oh,
How He loves
We are His portion
And He is our prize
Drawn to redemption by the grace in His eyes
If grace is an ocean, we're all sinking
So heaven meets earth like a sloppy wet kiss
And my heart turns violently inside my chest
I don't have time to maintain these regrets
When I think about the way
He loves us, oh,
How He loves us, oh
How He loves us, oh,
How He loves
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* my favourite line is: 'So heaven meets earth like a sloppy wet kiss'. God has gone to far more ridiculous, real, and tangible measures to make His love known to us!!
i often only think in terms of my specific circumstance. you might say i suffer from a serious case of tunnel vision. i am bound, as we all are, for this time to an imperfect context. my spirit's innocence to unabashedly encounter God's love is clouded and tainted by all my 21 years of living as a broken, near-sighted individual. i often don't consider that the love offered in Jesus isn't overwhelmed by the same rules or boundaries or context in which i exist. i can't wrap my head around it, really. i'm in awe, and i'm thankful that Jesus' love, which is freely given, and frees. it's an empowering love.
Jesus lived the message of his love as he broke some "rules" society had in place. Jesus went out of his way to show that he came to love us. there are many examples...
Jesus welcomed children, and told the disciples not to barricade them from coming into his presence. I imagine they just wanted to run right up and sit on his knee, be as close as they could possibly get to 'the action' as he told stories about seeds and weeds. I imagine if my desire was to be as close to Him as those kids wanted to be, I would know better the safety and rest of his welcoming arms.
Matthew 19:14 "Leave the children alone! Allow the little ones to come to Me, and do not forbid or restrain or hinder them, for of such [as these] is the kingdom of heaven composed."
Jesus also made it abundantly clear while on earth that he had come to love, heal and save those who had no hope, those who needed healing, justice and mercy. Simon Peter, Jesus' little rock, who denied knowing Jesus three times needed Jesus' abounding grace (Matt. 26:75). The woman who loved much was forgiven much (Mark 14). Zaccheus, the tax collector, needed to repent and repay to know new life (Luke 19). Thomas, though he doubted, believed was saved from his unbelief (John 20). The blind would see, and the lame walked (John 9:25; Mark 2:9). Those who had been cast out with leprosy joined society anew (Matt. 8:2-3). Another woman reached out to Jesus and in her faith, was healed of her bleeding (Luke 8:48). We need love, and it has been supplied in great abundance through Jesus death and life so that God can love us.
His love is powerful enough to 'eclipse our afflictions' with His its glory. He is complete love. He has shown all-encompassing, over-flowing, gracious, merciful, freeing love. He doesn't forget, doesn't need to ask for forgiveness, doesn't fail, and won't quit. There's hope and matchless beauty in the restorative way He loves us. Marvel in it. Enjoy it.
The powerful reminder that we're "drawn to redemption by the grace in His eyes" reminds me that it's with grace and love that we are to introduce others to Jesus' love. We, all of us (not ONE excluded!), are not going to be strong enough for ocean of grace He pours over us... if we face it, we're going to sink in it's overwhelming power! (Something not too awful to be 'caught up' in!)
Like me, you probably don't need to be told to 'brace yourself'. I think many of us live in a sufficiently "braced" state. As you take it in, let the message of this Love be the agent of grace that loosens those binds and calls you from out of whatever has kept you alone, hiding.
You're accepted. You're welcomed in. You're loved. You're beautiful. You're free.
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Deutoronomy 4:24 "For the LORD your God is a consuming fire, a jealous God."
1 Corinthians 13:10 "... but when Perfection comes, the imperfect disappears..."
1 John 4:10 "This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent His Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins."
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How He Loves Us - Kim Walker
He is jealous for me
Loves like a hurricane
I am a tree
Bending beneath the weight
of His wind and mercy
When all of a sudden
I am unaware of these afflictions eclipsed by Glory
and I realize just how beautiful You are
And how great your affections are for me
And oh, how He loves us so,
Oh, how He loves us
How He loves us so...
Yeah, He loves us, oh,
How He loves us, oh
How He loves us, oh,
How He loves
We are His portion
And He is our prize
Drawn to redemption by the grace in His eyes
If grace is an ocean, we're all sinking
So heaven meets earth like a sloppy wet kiss
And my heart turns violently inside my chest
I don't have time to maintain these regrets
When I think about the way
He loves us, oh,
How He loves us, oh
How He loves us, oh,
How He loves
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* my favourite line is: 'So heaven meets earth like a sloppy wet kiss'. God has gone to far more ridiculous, real, and tangible measures to make His love known to us!!
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