Revelation of the Spirit- #57 My Love is His

About six weeks ago I started a new devotion routine with a book called Disciplines for the Inner Life and so far this book has helped me grow deeper with the Lord. 

I apologize for not blogging for over a month but I just needed time to grow deeper with the Lord and tonight I felt a deep connection with the Lord and I felt him saying I needed to share my heart. I can't possibly share all I've learned, struggled with and conquered over the past six weeks but I feel as though tonight's devotion really sums it up the best it can. 

My first reading selection of this is all i've been able to read so far because it has caused me to meditate on it for hours and I'd really like to share the reading with you...

"In solitude we can slowly unmask the illusion of our possessiveness and discover in the center of our own self that we are what we can conquer, but what is given to us. In solitude we can listen to the voice of him who spoke to us before we could speak a word, who healed us before we could make any gesture to help, who set us free long before we could free others, and who loved us long before we could give love to anyone. It is in this solitude that we discover that being is more than having, and that we are worth more than the result of our efforts. In solitude we discover that our life is not a possession to be defended, but a gift to be shared. It's there we recognize that the healing words we speak are not just our own, but are given to us; that the love we can express is part of a greater love, and that the new life we bring forth is not a property to cling to, but a gift to be received."

- Henri J. Nouwen

The whole passage sends shivers down my spine and moves my heart and spirit in a way I've never experienced before. I can' specifically point out what about this moves me but I love the way it moves me. One week in my devotions the Psalm was Psalm 139. It was a great week of growing in love for my creator. He who created my inmost being and knows me better than I know myself and loves me no matter what. I memorized the chapter and recited it through everyday experiences that week and continue to now and it has really just helped me grow in love with the Lord. I love in this passage how it says how the Lord loved us before we could give love to anyone. If he loved us first how dare we love something or someone more than him? He created my heart to love him and the love for Him comes before any other.

Our life is not a possession. It was bought a price...by blood shed. He died for our lives, so that we may be free. Why do we turn from Him and ignore His love for us? He truly wants to captivate us with His love and gives it freely. My love is His. His love is unconditional and no matter how hard I try I can never do anything to truly deserve that love on my own. We are worth more than our efforts....THANK GOD! If I was worth just the amount of my efforts I wouldn't be worth much at all. My efforts however heartfelt and true are little and weak. But God sees me as worth more than gold or silver and would give His life for  me and my love. My love is His.

"Because he loves me," says the Lord, "I will rescue him; I will protect him, for he acknowledges my name."

Psalm 91:4 (NIV)

Because my love is His, He will protect me and rescue me.  The passage goes on to say...

"He will call upon me, and I will answer him; I will be with him in trouble, I will deliver him and honor him and show him my salvation."

Oh my. Do you see all you get for love? The Lord treasures your love higher than anything, I believe. He wants your undying love and He wants to love you, protect you, He wants you to call on Him and be completely dependent on Him. For this He will deliver you from evil and show you His salvation...

I want to see His salvation, I want him to be with me in my times of trouble and I want to be completely His. I want His love.

My love is His.

Come, Jesus, come, You the only object of my love, the center and supreme happiness of my soul.

I love you Lord.

Amen.