love: my identity

We had squad church this morning. Every Sunday, teams on my squad take turns leading a service for sabbath! Today “Team Shathal” led. It was amazing. We had a time of reflection/spontaneous worship and during that time I felt the Lord put something on my heart to sing to Him. 

I wanna fall in love with you.

Kinda weird, right? But oh my, this cry resonates so deeply within me, let me tell ya.

This week has been a continuation of the process of handing over some of my “stuff” to the Lord. Distraction, anxiety, a lack of trust, pride. I was especially dealing with worry and a lack of clarity over my calling/future. But with this one cry, the Lord put that all to rest. 

I wanna fall in love with you.

It’s not a weird kind of “fall in love”. It’s more of just a realization and acceptance of His love, and the feeling of awe that comes with that. The Lord revealed to me that when this is the cry of my heart, to be so totally consumed with His love for me and mine for Him, there will be no room for any of the other junk.

There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love. -1 John 4:18

When He is the desire of my heart, all these other things fall away. This doesn’t necessarily mean that I won’t struggle with them anymore, ever. But their importance will diminish and they won’t take up room in my heart. As I become more aware of the love He has for me and its vast expanse, I make space for His love, peace, and rest to come and fill me.

“To say that I am made in the image of God is to say that love is the reason for my existence, for God is love.

Love is my true identity. Selflessness is my true self. Love is my true character. Love is my name.

If, therefore, I do anything or think anything or know anything that is not purely for the love of God, it cannot give me peace, or rest, or fulfillment, or joy.”

-Thomas Merton, New Seeds Of Contemplation

GAH. That whole quote could just be a blog post in itself. 

I read it in my book earlier this week, and then read it again today. How perfect is that? Anything outside of His love will not fulfill me- not any of that anxiety, distraction, or pride. I want to be wholly saturated in and consumed with his love because that is my IDENTITY as His child.

Thank you Jesus for your love!

And now, the moment you’ve all been waiting for – (drum roll please) ::

WE’RE GOING TO LOUISIANA!

This October, my squad and I will be working with Samaritan’s Purse and helping provide disaster relief to several cities in Louisiana! I am STOKED. I’m excited to be participating in some hands-on ministry in a new place! More info to come – excited to share with you all!

Thanks for tuning in and partnering with me in this journey!

God bless, 

Emma