Do you ever wonder who you are? Whether you belong? Do you ever struggle with finding the confidence to step out in what you feel called to do?
It’s been a busy time, doing lots of things. And in the midst of it all, it’s exciting that my fourth album is coming together, which feels like such a gift from the Lord.
Sometimes, making an album feels like a journey of God working deep inside me. My second album, ‘In Abba Father’s Arms’, definitely felt like that. I wrote the songs from a deep place with the Lord, and as I wrote and recorded them, things kind of shifted in my heart. This album has felt a bit like that, too.
The songs have come out of a journey of growing in freedom, healing and confidence from standing in the Father’s love in Christ, and beginning to grow more secure in finding my identity in Him. This album has been a journey of processing something God has been doing in my heart. Of growing in standing in who I am in Him, through Jesus.
A few weeks ago, it felt like the Lord put it on my heart to write a little booklet (probably for girls) to go with the songs, so I’m working on that and praying it will all come together soon! Thank you for your patience!
I’m learning that being loved by the Father, and belonging to Him, through Christ, changes everything.
If you wonder whether you are really loved.
If you feel held back, chained by fear.
If you feel insecure, afraid people will reject you.
I am discovering that knowing the Father’s love can bring such transformation and freedom.
And, somehow, singing about that seems to anchor it in!
One of my favourite songs on the album is a song called ‘Loved’. Here are some of the words:
You are my God, my Father.
I was made for You.
Now I know who I am.
I am in Christ. You’ve made me new.
Father, I belong to You.
By the blood, I belong to You.
You are the God Who sees me.
Your face shines over me.
You go ahead, before me.
I know You are surrounding me
With everlasting love
And favour from above.
I am loved by my Father.
At the cross You brought me so close to You.
I belong to You by Jesus’ precious blood.
I am Yours. I’m loved.
I was thinking about those words the other day. I was driving home, and if you have read some of my posts about driving anxiety, you’ll know that I don’t always find that easy. Actually, God has been helping me so much lately, and progress is very much happening, praise God! But the other day I had a headache, and I was tired, and I had a long way to drive home. I wasn’t feeling great, and I gave grace to myself to drive home the ‘easy’ way, because I’ve learned that that’s sometimes the wisest thing to do. But I was getting anxious, because I didn’t feel strong, and I was behind the wheel, and somehow I had to get home.
When I’m driving, especially if it’s a struggle, I’ll often pray or process aloud, talking to the Lord about things or working them through, as a way of distracting myself from the anxiety and making use of the time! I was thinking about this song that day, and, as I meditated on the words, it really encouraged me.
It reminds me of Numbers 6:24-26:
‘”The Lord bless you and keep you;
The Lord make His face shine upon you,
And be gracious to you;
The Lord lift up His countenance upon you,
And give you peace.”‘
In Christ, I am blessed. I am loved.
I am surrounded by the Father’s love. He is with me. I am blessed by Him. He goes ahead of me, protecting me and surrounding me with provision. So why I should I be worried? I am a child of God through Jesus (you can find out here how that can be true of you, too)! I am so blessed, and my Father is with me!
It’s so easy to forget, but it’s true! Yes, the Lord strengthened me to get home that day, but, more than that, He encouraged me in His love, and who I am in Him.
May you also be encouraged in the love of the Father through Christ (if you want to find out how these things can be true of you, too, you can find out more here).
And maybe finding some of your favourite truth songs to sing will strengthen you, too! 🙂
Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Caroline Abblitt 