An Unexplainable Love
Have you ever revisited a book, podcast, or sermon and caught a point that you didn’t catch initially or the message resonated with you in a new way? I recently had this experience when reading the excerpt below from Ephesians 3 – which is a prayer that Paul prayed for the Ephesians.
So I kneel humbly in awe before the Father of our Lord Jesus, the Messiah, the perfect Father of every father and child in heaven and on the earth. And I pray that he would unveil within you the unlimited riches of his glory and favor until supernatural strength floods your innermost being with his divine might and explosive power. Then, by constantly using your faith, the life of Christ will be released deep inside you, and the resting place of his love will become the very source and root of your life. Then you will be empowered to discover what every holy one experiences—the great magnitude of the astonishing love of Christ in all its dimensions. How deeply intimate and far-reaching is his love! How enduring and inclusive it is! Endless love beyond measurement that transcends our understanding—this extravagant love pours into you until you are filled to overflowing with the fullness of God! Ephesians 3:14-19 (TPT)
Y’all, how beautiful is this prayer?! The first time I read it a few years ago, I thought to myself I want to experience that kind of love; and each time thereafter, I prayed that these words would become personal for me. Don’t get me wrong. I’ve always felt loved by God, but different life experiences have revealed new dimensions of God’s love to me. You may be able to relate to this within the context of some of your closest relationships. For example, different seasons of your life may have required those people to show up for you in a new or significant way, revealing a new dimension of their love for you. My current season of life has particularly magnified God’s love for me and shown me new depths of His love.
In one of my previous posts, “The Pursuit of Wholeness,” I mentioned my plans to begin therapy in order to help me identify the root cause of some present issues and to work through some areas of my life that need healing. I began the journey a few months ago in August, and it has been so enlightening. I’ve learned so much about myself, especially how past experiences have shaped me, I’m learning to care for myself in new ways, and I’m beginning to identify steps that will aid in my process of healing, evolving, and becoming whole. In addition to all of these wonderful things, God has made His presence and love so real to me throughout this journey. He has used people, sermons, songs, books, and His word to address the very things I’m working through in therapy and to encourage me. The specificity of these experiences has revealed to me just how intimate God’s love is just as Paul prayed in the passage above. Many of these situations have honestly left me speechless and thinking “Really, God?!” But I guess this is what Paul was alluding to when he mentioned God’s love transcending our understanding 🙂 Even when I can’t fully comprehend it, I’m so grateful for God’s love and the ways He manifests it towards me.
One of the books that God used recently to encourage me and facilitate healing in this season of my life is called “Uninvited.” Each page of this book is filled with hope and truth, but there is one particular quote that jumped off the page as I was reading so much so that I wrote it on a sticky note and posted it on my bathroom mirror. The quote stated,
God’s love isn’t based on me. It’s simply placed on me. And it’s the place from which I should live…loved.
This quote was significant to me, because it was a beautiful reminder that I don’t have to perform to earn God’s love. I’m already loved by Him and will never be loved any more than I am right now. These words also reminded me that God’s love for me is unconditional, and there is nothing I can do that will ever separate me from His love as promised in Romans 8:35-39. God’s love and grace cover every one of my mistakes, and He’ll never give up on me. Lastly, these words reminded me that God’s love is a gift without any strings attached. All I have to do in order to experience it is receive it and rest in it, allowing it to become the very source and root of my life as Paul prayed for the Ephesians.
I share this with you my friend to let you know that the same love is available to you. And for those who need to be reminded or even hear this for the first time, I want to pause to tell you that, “God loves you.” He cares for you and everything that concerns you. God’s love for you is endless and unconditional. You don’t have to be “perfect” or have it all together to receive God’s love. He loves you just the way you are. Even when you make mistakes or feel undeserving, God loves you. His love will never fail you and will always protect you. God’s love will fill every void in your life, making you whole and satisfying every one of your desires. God’s love is also transformative, healing and developing every part of you that needs His touch. All you have to do is unwrap the gift sitting before you and open your heart to receive it. It’s as simple as saying, “God, I welcome you into my life and receive your love.” Wherever you are in your journey, my prayer is that you will experience the love of God that Paul spoke of in Ephesians 3:14-19. I also pray that this love will give you peace and confidence and be the place from which you live. Lastly, I encourage you to listen to the song below and allow the truth of these words to fill your heart and bring you comfort and joy.
With love,
Imanne