Tag Archives: Jesus

Our Love Song

If Jesus wrote a love song to me, this would be it.
It is not a Christian song, per se, but it is *our song.*
~ Psalm 61; Hebrews 4:13-16~

John 13:25 is one of my absolute, very favorite Scriptures ever ever ever. I confess I’ve always been jealous of John in this moment; not in what he asks, but in his actions.

There is no other place in all of creation that I’d rather be than right there. I hold this place in my heart for now, but oh one day.

One day I will be in this place, this moment, for real. Tangible. Seen. Able to feel his warmth. Feel his muscles move as he shifts in his seat. Feel his chest expand and contract with every breath. To be so close to hear him inhale, exhale. Feel his hair tickle my cheek. My ear pressed against his chest, I feel the reverberation and hear the echo of his voice as he quietly hums our song. Feel the touch of his skin. Stroke the softness of his royal robe.

I reach for his hand and hold it in mine. I run my finger over the scar from the nail. I stare at his scar and remember what he did for me. I remember what I did to put that scar there. He senses my muscles tense and my palms begin to sweat. The weight of guilt and shame steals my breath and sorrow overwhelms my heart. He gently pulls me closer and strokes my hair. Without a word, his patient love and tender kindness tells me he would’ve done it all if only for me.

He regrets nothing.

I breathe a comforted sigh and close my eyes, my hand covering his scar.

And I rest in the feeling when you know you are completely safe, and you fold yourself into the one holding you. Guards down. Walls down. No words necessary. When you feel so safe you close your eyes and your soul exhales in a sigh of sweet contentment; drifting in and out of sleep.
Knowing fully that he has me and I am safe. I rest because he holds me. He who holds the whole world in his hands. He who carried the weight of sin for all time, holds me. His strength is safe. There is fullness of heart; not lacking anything.

To look into his eyes. His eyes of love and mercy bring hot tears to mine. We sit and look deeply into each other. He sees me. He knows. The real, raw, unfiltered, un-fronted me. And he loves me. The sweet smile in his eyes says, knowing everything about me, he loves me. The soft smile of his lips tells me that knowing everything about me makes him, in fact, love me…more.
I don’t have to explain anything to him. I don’t have to do anything but rest and receive. Receive his love. His friendship. His mercy. His brotherhood. His saving grace. To know I am fully known yet still… Accepted. Wanted. Cared for. Seen.
Loved.
Loved deeply.
Loved fully.
And time stands still. Nothing else matters. All grows dim. The only sound I hear is the beat of his heart. The heart that loved me enough to beat death and beat again. I lean into him and simply listen to the rhythmic melody of his heartbeat that will never stop playing our love song. I live this moment in my heart today and wait for it to be fulfilled in spirit, face-to-face. It will be the best moment in my entire, eternal life.

Not sure I wanted to share something so personal, but my hope is this song draws you closer to Jesus, too. 

Can Jesus really relate to us?

While reading the Bible, I am amazed all over again at Jesus’ life and how much He has in common with us.  If I may, I’d like to frame His life on this earth in our modern tongue.  As you read through the list, see if anything relates to your life…

Jesus:

* was nearly an illegitimate child when Joseph considered breaking off their engagement

* divorce loomed over their family for a period of time

* born homeless*

* was a stepSon (to Joseph – His stepfather)

* despised since birth

* there was an attempted murder on His young life

* had half bothers and sisters

* part of a blue-collar family

* His family’s status was not highly thought of in the community

* they were poor

* His family moved a few times

* there was sibling rivalry to the point His siblings deemed Him crazy

* His appearance was just average – nothing remarkable to attract attention

* hung out with sketchy people

* tempted to sin in every possible way

* had a difficult time keeping friends

* was a loner (in that He spent many hours secluded and praying to God)

* left His job to go into full-time ministry

* often overheard crying out to God

* was not popular throughout seasons of His life

* knew hunger

* rejected by His community

* lost a loved one

* severely disappointed by His friends

* blamed for crimes He didn’t commit

* endured an unfair trial without proper legal representation

* suffered intolerable acts of violence by a corrupt system

* was refused medical treatment

* as a son, he had to entrust the care of His mother to someone else

* died alone

At Christmastime, people try to buy joy.  We party or numb our way to a mirage of peace.  We hide behind religious traditions because we can do them on autopilot.  We promote myths and legends and belittle Truth.  Why?

There are as many different reasons as there are people on this planet.  But, dare I say that one reason is that we are running from God.  Again, there are as many reasons we run from God as there people, but one huge one is that we have believed the lie that God cannot relate to us, so why try to have a relationship with Him?

Today, it was good for me to read back over Scripture and be reminded once again that Jesus (100% God & 100% man) shed His royal robe to cloak Himself in flesh and live among us.  He set down His crown and picked up a hammer as a carpenter’s Son.

He laughed, wept, worked and slept.  His family album looks a lot like ours.  When Jesus came to earth to save us, He became one of us – yet was without sin.

If this Christmas season you feel your heart wondering what this God thing is all about.  If you are curious or desperate.  If you have had enough of everything this world offers yet still feel empty.  If you can’t find another reason to live.  If you feel utterly alone.  If you think no one understands your life.  Give God a chance to prove He is everything you need.  Jesus, our brother, Savior and friend completely understands.  He’s been there.

There is a reason why nothing else in the world settles our soul.  Calms our spirit.  Gives life to our bones.  There is only one God and one Christ.  Everything else, with all of its empty promises, fails.  With Christ there is hope, joy and peace that is not bound by circumstance.  It cannot be taken away or denied.

More than twinkle lights, evergreens, shiny bows, inflatable characters and yummy baked goods, my heart drifts back to the babe born in the side of a mountain with no fanfare from the town who forbade Him a delivery room.

He understands who you are and where you’ve been.

Hebrews 4:14-16  Therefore, since we have a great high priest who has gone through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold firmly to the faith we profess.  For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are—yet was without sin.  Let us then approach the throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.

Everything he went through, from birth to death, He did for one reason – love.  This Christmas, come to the true source of love that can’t be bought, returned, baked or made – Jesus.  The gift of eternal life He offers is the best Christmas present you’ll ever receive.

(*credit to Renee Ratcliffe)