Do you ever struggle to remember something really important, that could really help?
I’ve been a bit anxious this past week. I’ve been a bit busy doing various different things lately, and not having enough quiet head space can bubble over into a bit of background anxiety. Head quietly swirling with things to worry about, which probably actually aren’t very big at all. Feeling a bit unsettled, and a bit behind, and a bit messy, and a bit anxious.
Trying to make time for the Lord, and struggling to remember He loves me. Remembering instead that I don’t deserve Him, and that I keep messing up. Can you relate?
But I keep listening to a song. I had the great privilege of being in the recording studio again last week. When I stop stressing about getting everything just right, it’s amazing to be there, surrounded by music that began in the secret place with the Lord. And one of the songs on my new (coming soon!) album is a song called “Loved.” It’s not quite finished yet, but it’s coming together, and you’ll hopefully be able to hear it one day soon!
The lyrics of the chorus are something like this: “I am loved by my Father. In Jesus Christ, You’ve brought me so close to You. I belong to You by Jesus’ precious blood. I am Yours. I’m loved.” And, because I am forgiven through Christ (you can be too- you can find out more here), it’s true.
I feel a bit weird about listening to my own songs over and over again, but the truth is that they really minister to my heart- I guess because they came from a deep place with the Lord! Listening to them seems to heal my heart, somehow. I keep listening to those words. And the Lord keeps reminding me: Despite my sin. In my anxiety. Despite all the ways I mess up. He is there, loving me.
I am forgiven through Jesus. I am in Christ. It’s true. It’s who I am.
I am loved by my Father. In Jesus Christ, You’ve brought me so close to You. I belong to You by Jesus’ precious blood. I am Yours. I’m loved.
The bridge section goes something like this: “And You’re singing over me in love and mercy. You sing, ‘cos I am Yours. And Your heart is for me. Oh, how You love me! You sing Abba Father’s song.”
It reminds me of Zephaniah 3:17
‘”The Lord your God in your midst,
The Mighty One, will save;
He will rejoice over you with gladness,
He will quiet you with His love,
He will rejoice over you with singing.”‘ Zephaniah 3:17
I can feel so imperfect; so messy. But I belong to the Father by Jesus’ precious blood. I am His. I’m loved.
And I think He wants me to drink it in: to receive it: to soak in it. I am Yours. I’m loved.
He looks at the blood and righteousness of Jesus in my place. He loves me. He is with me. Sure, He doesn’t want me to sin. But knowing I am loved makes me hate sin more! And I think He wants me to deeply receive and even enjoy His love!
If you know Jesus as Saviour and are following Him as Lord, may you be deeply encouraged in His love for you, too, even in the messy, imperfect everyday. And if you don’t know Him yet, you very much can! You can find out more here.
Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Caroline Abblitt 