Selah - Becca

So here I am today, waiting/wanting to be inspired, being fueled by sleep deprivation and hoping that anything that I say right now will make sense. I don't know about you, but when I'm really tired, I find myself dealing with all sorts of emotions ranging from peace to joy to fear, giving me an opportunity to exercise my spiritual muscles to "take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ." (2 Cor 10:5b*) Right now, I would love to sit down with a blanket and some hot green tea in a cozy room dimly light by a table lamp, Bible and journal on my lap and pen in-hand with a variety of mellow worship songs quietly playing - Shane & Shane or Jason Upton is usually a good accompaniment for me. Just sitting in the presence of the Ruler of the nations, Organizer of the universe, and intimate Friend and Father. Ah, peaceful bliss! :)

But for now, I'll just pretend as I sit here at work, trading in my cozy recliner for an office chair, ready to share some thoughts with you, hoping that it will be used by the Lord to bring some encouragement.

So we are fresh off of the Valentine's holiday, the day set aside each year where we get to show special attention to the loved ones in our lives, especially significant others, often giving the opportunity to lavish them with cards, chocolates and flowers and, in many instances, diamond rings. A joyful time for many, a lonely time for others. No matter which camp you find yourself residing in, though, it can lead you to Love. Love is an amazing thing! It has a 100% success rate (1 Cor 13:8). The way of love is the only way that we will ever truly gain anything and be anything (1 Cor 13:1-3). It is the greatest thing that we can have (1 Cor 13:13). God is love (1 John 4:8). Anyone else just floored by that? God is love. God is love. God is love! Even without being sleep deprived, my mind has a tough time wrapping around that!

Over 9 months ago, one of my dearest friends got married to her earthly love. In December, I watched one of the people most precious to my heart entering into a commitment to, by the grace of God, continually practice that unfailing love with her closest friend. Within 30 hours of me writing this I will witness the exchanging of vows of two people that I've been honored to be able to call close friends and look forward to seeing how they will continue to be molded into His image and change the world together. In all of these relationships, I've watched as Love has remained in the center of their relationships. God is love. Love never fails. Think about it - there is hope! : )

In the past month, I've watched how the lack of true Love can destroy a person's mind, will and emotions and how just a little bit of this powerful Love can soften and skillfully heal a hardened, yet shattered heart. I've also seen how the continued revelation of this amazing Love transforms a heart of selfishness and fear into one of selflessness and peace. No drug can fix it. The only thing that has been proven to be 100% effective is...Love! It's Him! He is love, He never fails! There is hope!

This week I was talking to a friend and it was getting to me - this Love. Love was getting to me. He left perfection to become like His Beloved. In doing so, He stepped into His creation that, though it once was beautiful, became a spiritual sewer. He took off majesty and glory to put on a body made of dirt so that for those who choose to know Him, they may become more and more like Him. He was/is so lovesick!

There are so many directions that I could go right now, my mind is reeling around this amazingness. But I'll just leave you with that, hoping that a hunger is stirring in you to drift off into your own journey of discovering Him more. Though my body is tired from busyness and being captured by growing love the last few weeks, my spirit is starting to stir, being awakened in excitement and longing for my Love. Oh, how I want to know Him, to be overcome by Him, absolutely ruined by Him - so lost and hidden in Him that nothing ever distracts me!

Psalm 62:5-8 "Find rest, O my soul, in God alone; my hope comes from Him. He alone is my rock and my salvation; He is my fortress, I will not be shaken. My salvation and my honor depend on God; He is my mighty rock, my refuge. Trust in Him at all times, O people; pour out your hearts to Him, for God is our refuge. Selah"

It's all a process, it's all getting to know Love. It's knowing Him, it's Love living in us and through us.

This month we've been privileged to have Bethany Dillon as the Featured Artist of the Month on the Praise FM Top 10. I highly recommend checking out the interview on the Top 10 page in the next couple of weeks. We talked a lot about Love. Love for Him and love for her other love, Shane Barnard of Shane & Shane.

May you be captured by Love as you seek and find Him in a way you never thought possible!

* NIV Version