However you define rest and peace, it sounds pretty good these days. Conflict and chaos. Anxiety and anger. Rushing and remorse. These things characterize our world . . . and maybe your life. What do we do? Learn to rest in the Father’s Love.
What comes to God’s mind when He thinks of you?
C.S. Lewis says how you believe God looks at you is the most important thing about you.[1] So . . . how do you believe God looks at you? As a mess, as broken, as a failure?
I believe he looks at you and me as Beloved.
As God’s Beloveds, how do we rest in His love? A hint – it’s not by doing more.
Jesus promised us, I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly. (John 10:10 NKJV) What do you think Jesus meant by abundant life? More importantly, does your life come close to your definition? Or do you sometimes cry out, "This can't be the abundant life, can it?" "Is this all there is?" No, there’s more, much more.
Without a doubt, the exhausted life is not the abundant life.
A part of the much more abundant life is discovering hesed – God’s Covenant love?
Belovedness leaps off the page in hesed. It's God's Lovingkindness as expressed in Exodus 34:6. The good news – this love does not require you “to do” anything; it engages the rhythm of resting.
Resting in God’s Love through receiving and embracing God’s Word. His Word is truth and the truth will set us free. Internalizing and meditating on the truth will result in inner transformation and renewed thinking. (Romans 12:1-2).
The world is filled with lies about us and lies about God.
We live in a world filled with lies. Lies about us and lies about God. Henri Nouwen writes, “Yes, there is that voice, the voice that speaks from above and from within and that whispers softly or declares loudly: “You are my Beloved, on you my favor rests.” It certainly is not easy to hear that voice in a world filled with voices that shout: You are no good, you are ugly; you are worthless; you are despicable, you are nobody—unless you can demonstrate the opposite.” (Life of the Beloved)
Transformation begins with me agreeing with God that His Word is truth. What He says about Himself and about me is the truth.
Memorize and internalize these truths from Isaiah 43 and Ephesians 1. But before reading them, prepare your mind and heart to pause and reflect on each one. Ask yourself, "What does it mean that 'God knows my name?" Now read, notice, and wonder.
I know your name
I love you
I created you
I redeemed you
You are precious in my sight
Do not fear
Neither floods nor flames will overwhelm you
You are mine!
How much do you “do” to earn his hesed?
God’s Hesed covenant love is declared in Isaiah 43. By the way, how much does God ask of you in this passage? How much do you “do” to earn his hesed? Nothing. He loves us because that’s His nature and he calls us to rest in His love.
Internalize these truths from Ephesians 1. Again, remember to notice, reflect, and wonder about each one.
Blessed,
Chosen,
Adopted,
Accepted in the Beloved,
Redeemed,
Forgiven,
Lavished with His grace
Sealed with the Holy Spirit.
What do those truths from Isaiah and Ephesians say to you about you? About God?
Finally, embrace fully this truth from John 17:23 – God loves me just like He loves Jesus. “I am in them and you are in me, so that they may be made completely one, that the world may know you have sent me and have loved them even as you have loved me.” (emphasis mine). "Even as" could be translated "to the same degree." Do you see it? God loves you with the same love with which He loves Jesus! When I finally discovered, internalized, and began to live this truth, my love relationship with God was transformed.
God loves me not only enough to save me, but to keep me when I fail
One additional truth to ponder. God’s Covenant Love continues even during our failures. Mark this truth. Memorize it! Make it yours: “God loves me not only enough to save me, but to keep me when I fail.”
We are changed when we learn and embrace new Truth - Jesus is the Truth about God and about you. Over time, meditating on and embracing these truths will change "the story you tell yourself about yourself." Thank God!
I can rest in the arms and the love of a God like that. And I'm going to do that moment by moment today and every day. I pray that you will, too.
How has discovering God looks at you changed you? How will you implement “resting in His Beloved Love”? Comments are welcome!
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[1] For more from C.S. Lewis click here
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