/written one month ago./
a nineteen year old woman came undone in my arms last night as she listened to my husband prophesy over her-- and that brought into crystal-clear realization WHY we’re doing what we’re doing.
God’s the only One who can give her answers, and He used the two of us last night to proclaim truth and love into her soul. i felt her as her tears saturated my shirt sleeve and dribbled down my arms like soft rain on windowpanes; i gripped my arms around her tight as her body wracked, then caved under the weight of years of pain and sorrow. we prayed freedom over her mind, for the breaking of chains keeping her captive in darkness.
the smile that emerged at the end of the night was worth venturing deep into vulnerability and brokenness, but we know it doesn't stop there. her process and healing continues, and so does my responsibility -- to follow up, to continue the conversation, to intercede on her behalf, to demonstrate that my Father loves her desperately and holds her freedom in His heart and hands.
you and me, friend, we were created to literally embody God’s love for others-- why is that often the last thing we do? the Bible says that others will know we are followers of Jesus because of our love… not primordially because of the quality of the sermons, or our small groups, or our numbers, whatever you want to insert there, but principally because of our LOVE.
Body of Christ… how much longer must we submit ourselves (and willingly!) to competition or comparison, to envy and gossip, to looking down on others, when what we are really doing is opening ourselves up to the enemy, to let him sew seeds of hate: the very opposite of our calling? i know i’ve had to examine my heart during the past few weeks and uproot all the lies and strategies i’d let the enemy seed in my heart as he’d hoped to weed out the love… and i'm not talking about just any love here, but powerful love of the perfect Father: the love that casts out all fear, the love that “is patient, is kind. The love that does not envy, does not boast, is not proud… does not dishonor others, is not self-seeking, is not easily angered, keeps no record of wrongs… does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth...always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.
The love that never fails.”
brothers and sisters,
are we manifesting and cultivating the very love Jesus said would distinguish us from the rest?
