To begin, I must explain the absence of posts this month. I have been out of town, sick, and extremely busy off and on this month. So posting on either of my blogs has been delegated to another time! To top that off, this week has been a very rough week on me.
The line from Tenth Avenue North's song "Worn" describes me very well right now. "I'm tired; I'm worn; my heart is heavy from the work it takes to keep on beating." Life just seems to drag on and on, with struggles popping up everywhere.
But tonight a line from one of my favorite songs hit me hard. "How He loves" by John Mark McMillan is one of my all time favorite songs (don't me started about David Crowder. Suffice to say, you haven't heard "How He loves" until you've gotten Crowder's version out of your head so you can fully enjoy McMillan's). It starts off with the line, "He is jealous for me."
On a night tonight when I'm struggling with being down after a long week of struggles, those words and that concept are like a breeze across my face. He's jealous for me. His love for me is so relentless and strong that He pursued me. Me, specifically. He wanted me. He desired me. He is jealous for me.
God, the almighty God of the universe, is jealous for me. He yearns for fellowship with me. He desires me. It's an incredible thought. He isn't tolerating me or just putting up with me because He said He would. His desire for me isn't the grudging fulfillment of a promise, but the joyful yearning of the One who created me, who knows me more intimately than I know myself.
He is jealous for me. God is jealous for me. Your Father is jealous for you. He is yearning for you. He desires you. It's an incredible thought, isn't it?
The line from Tenth Avenue North's song "Worn" describes me very well right now. "I'm tired; I'm worn; my heart is heavy from the work it takes to keep on beating." Life just seems to drag on and on, with struggles popping up everywhere.
But tonight a line from one of my favorite songs hit me hard. "How He loves" by John Mark McMillan is one of my all time favorite songs (don't me started about David Crowder. Suffice to say, you haven't heard "How He loves" until you've gotten Crowder's version out of your head so you can fully enjoy McMillan's). It starts off with the line, "He is jealous for me."
On a night tonight when I'm struggling with being down after a long week of struggles, those words and that concept are like a breeze across my face. He's jealous for me. His love for me is so relentless and strong that He pursued me. Me, specifically. He wanted me. He desired me. He is jealous for me.
God, the almighty God of the universe, is jealous for me. He yearns for fellowship with me. He desires me. It's an incredible thought. He isn't tolerating me or just putting up with me because He said He would. His desire for me isn't the grudging fulfillment of a promise, but the joyful yearning of the One who created me, who knows me more intimately than I know myself.
He is jealous for me. God is jealous for me. Your Father is jealous for you. He is yearning for you. He desires you. It's an incredible thought, isn't it?
That is a truly incredible thought. :)
ReplyDeleteGreat points! And while you posted it out here just a little bit ago, "Through all of It" by Colton Dixon is also a good song to encourage you when you're in a low point. Thank you for sharing!
ReplyDeleteThanks! Yeah, that's one of my go-to songs for when I feel that way. "Be Kind to Yourself" by Andrew Peterson (don't say anything) and "Worn" by Tenth Avenue North are two other favorites.
DeleteI know you're not a Nichole Nordeman freak like I am, but "The Altar" is one that I go to because of the lyrics. There's my un-asked-for suggestion. :P
DeleteI love un-asked-for suggestions... They're the best!
DeleteClear the Stage by Jimmy Needham is an excellent song!!
DeleteAnd since you like un-asked-for suggestions, here is mine: My Lighthouse by Rend Collective
DeleteThat is kind of my go-to song when I am down or discouraged, plus also songs by Sons of Korah which I think I have told you about before.
Anywho, I am sorry life has been rough for you lately. I will be praying that you will continue to find comfort, peace, and courage in Christ alone.
Thank you, Hannah! I appreciate it a ton! And I will def look up "My Lighthouse"!
DeleteBeautiful!! How he Loves Us, is one of my top three fav songs!! Yes, it's so amazing how much He loves us, and how much He's calling us to a intimate relationship with Him. Our God is SOOOOOO AMAZING!!! He's beyond words!! I'll be praying for you. You're not alone!!
ReplyDeleteThe line to the song Worn, describes me a lot to, especially since I'm doing anything super important right now. (I love that song too.)
I'll be praying your strength in the Lord!! Hang on!! As the song writer says, "The race isn't given to the swift, neither is it given to the strong, but to him that endures to the end." Be encouraged, and continue to stand strong and grow in your relationship with God. Always remember, that there are other people in the body of Christ who love and support you, and I'm one of those many people!! Love you bro!!! :)
*not doing anything*
DeleteThank you, Gabrielle! I'm actually doing much better today. A close friend emailed me a ton of Scripture verses about finding our peace in Christ this morning, and besides feeling the support from them, I was able to talk to my brother this evening as well (who lives in a different state). Between that and other things, my mood has drastically improved. :) Thank you for your prayers and support though!
DeleteYou're quite welcome!! I started typing and that's what resulted at the end!! :) Happy Thanksgiving, btw !!
DeleteHa, ha, astounding success then! Happy Thanksgiving to you as well!
DeleteHave you seen this:
ReplyDeletehttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CRraHsDSRVk
I had not seen that. Thanks!
DeleteYou're welcome!!
DeleteI'm glad you are doing better. I've been praying for ya, man. Sounds like you've got a lot of songs to look up now! :) Thanks for the enthusiasm and encouragement displayed/given, Gabrielle!
ReplyDeleteThank you, Ryan! Yes, I am doing a ton better. Maybe the plethora of songs helped; in any case, I could make a new playlist!
DeleteWell if I knew we were giving you too many songs, I might not have contributed. Yeah, finding things that encourage you and lift you up for particular struggles are great, like Scriptures, songs, quotes, books, etc.
ReplyDeleteAnyway, your post is very powerful, and upon re-reading it, I can sympathize with some of it again with you. Thanks again.
Ha, ha, nah, it wasn't too many. I have a lot of good suggestions I can back to when I feel this way again too. :) Glad it was a blessing for you!
DeleteYeah, this has helped me quite a bit. It's surprising how much simple musings can inspire others, right?
DeleteHey, have you done any research on my answers to your question on my blog? You said you might have to look into it a little more to verify the validity of my answers.
No, I haven't. I still plan to, but I don't have the time at the moment.
DeleteAlright, that's fine. Let me know what you get! I'm interested in seeing somebody else's thoughts on the same question...
ReplyDeleteEven though I was supposed to answer it *for* you...