The Bible: a love letter.
66 books, 1,189 chapters, 31,102 verses.
Addressed to you & me.
We all want one thing, love. Unconditional love to be exact. It's a beautiful sacrifice, rarely given to those who need it the most. We live in a world where the meaning of love has lost it’s value. So let’s reexamine the definition. "Love - unselfish, loyal, and benevolent concern for the good of another.” There is not much of this love going around in the world today. Not even between brothers and sister in Christ. God has placed it on my heart to share what He has opened my eyes to this summer.
In late May, early June, I was able to go on a choir tour with my friend's church. We went to some of the most destitute places. It was heartbreaking. However, I saw the most genuine worship I’d ever seen. To see people who literally have nothing be vulnerable and give their everything to Jesus was eye opening. Throughout the whole trip, I got mad that we were separating ourselves from them by just singing to them. I thought we should be out and amongst them, praying, and speaking truth over their lives. Little did I know how much truth and prayer we actually did by ‘just singing.’ I started to see everywhere we went that God was breaking down walls and blessing those who came to our concerts. I see now that sometimes all we have to do is lend an ear, time, a voice, or a hand for people to experience God.
Once home from choir tour, I went into a downward spiral. I was in a pit. A selfish pit. I didn’t go to church for months and didn't even bother touching my Bible study. I was mean, depressed, and bitter. Then one Wednesday night, a week before our church’s summer camp, I went back to church. After the worship set, I felt God move my heart back towards Him. I knew He wanted me to go to camp. I was brought to tear’s from the love and grace I had experienced. He was rescuing me from the pit I had dug for myself.
Flash forward to camp:
The first night was energized. Worship was powerful & the anticipation of God moving in our city and our lives was indescribable. After worship, we wrote down something we wanted to see God do at camp. I wrote, 'to become bold in His love.’ What I meant was to be able to pray without worrying about saying something wrong, go to school without worrying about grades and to stop fearing the future completely.
The second night during worship I didn't feel like I was encountering God. I know a relationship with Him isn't a feeling, however, when I looked around the room to see people falling down because of His presence I was discouraged as to why He wasn't letting me experience that. Crossing my arms and giving up on worship completely, someone tapped my shoulder. It was one of the leaders that I had talked to about my fear of praying out loud. She said she wanted to pray with me. After her prayer, I felt as though a lock had been cut off my tongue. I knew that if I wanted to pray out loud, I could. My chains were set free. I also experienced some peace about the future, and was told I needed to enjoy the present.
On the third night, I felt God tell me to pray for a friend. At first I was a little nervous. But then I made myself walk over to her and pray for her. It the most awkward prayer, (maybe not, but it sure felt like it.) I felt like apologizing to her but I knew God had released me from those chains and I needed to leave them where they lie. Later that night, I asked another leader to pray for me. I told her I wanted to love boldly. She prayed for peace. At first, I didn't know why she would pray for peace when I asked to love boldly. Then she said I was holding back from Him (which I knew but was having a hard time being vulnerable) and needed to completely relax in His presence. She asked God to completely fill me with His presence.
Eventually, I did relax. When I did, He filled me with His presence. So much so that when the leader left me, I didn't notice. It was the best night of my life. I haven't had anxieties about situations that used to worry me, since. I even tried to get anxious about something that would've bothered me a month ago, but He has given me peace that surpasses all understanding. “And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:7 NIV
When I feel myself start to get anxious, I pray for His peace and listen to worship music. By receiving His peace, I have an overwhelming desire to love people. I'm vulnerable in Him, but also bold. He answered my prayers. He filled my void. I have joy now because I know He's in control.
Continuing my walk after camp, I've been praying for our city to find Jesus. That we would love each other so much it overwhelmed us. I'm praying that our nation finds Jesus too. We need Him. We need to speak out about our experiences even if we're scared. Paul was scared too and look what Jesus told him, "One night the Lord spoke to Paul in a vision: Do not be afraid; keep on speaking, do not be silent. For I am with you, and no one is going to attack and harm you, because I have many people in this city." Acts 18:9-10 NIV. We need to fight for those who can't yet fight for themselves. We need to show love to the ones who deserve it least.
I'm speaking out about my experience with God because He has written us a love letter. He doesn't just want to touch my life, He wants to touch yours too and anyone else who is willing to let Him touch their lives. It's not acceptable as a child of God to keep this love letter to ourselves. There are so many people who need to hear truth. The enemy has taken too many already.
As believers, we are not going to get treated nicely all the time. That's okay. When people are being rude and not taking time to love or care about us, remember, it's okay. It's what we're trained for, to love unconditionally because that's the way Jesus loves us. If your friend has told a story 20 times, and they want to tell it again, listen. Love isn't just a feeling, it's a sacrifice. Think of all the sacrifices Jesus made for us. My granddad used to say, "you kill more flies with honey than you do vinegar."
Today, I began to pray for husbands of the world to love their brides like Jesus loves the church, His bride. I prayed that my generation would begin to write songs, and poems to God instead of the person they like. He will be around far longer than the people we like in high school. Also, He will bring our spouse when it's time. I'm also praying that His desires become my desires, and His dreams become my dreams. "Take delight in the LORD, and he will give you the desired of your heart." Psalm 37:4 is one of my favorite verses because when we study His word and find what He loves, it becomes what we love. We become imitators of Christ when we love like He does, and that is one of my grandest dreams. “Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children; and walk in love, just as Christ also loved you and gave Himself up for us, an offering and a sacrifice to God as a fragrant aroma.” Ephesians 5:1-2 NASB
Love God. Love people.
In His love,
Mally J.
