Let Him Love You Alive
when your heart feels stuck
(Be sure to check out the prayer room hours for this coming week here.)
He’s so good. So close. Even when you can’t feel any of it.
Who is like the Lord?
If your heart feels numb, invite Him to circumcise it. If you are asleep, invite Him to sing you awake. If you’re hurting, climb up into His lap. Let His presence heal you.
“The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.” - Psalm 34:18
Do you know Him? Do you see His fiery eyes of liquid love? Can you hear Him singing over you? Do you feel the wonder in store since the beginning of time? Do you know you are gloriously woven into the marvelous Story? Do you know how every corner of heartache, every inch of pain, every crevice of loneliness holds treasure, just as the highs of life also hold a gift?
If you’re having a hard time knowing it, ask Him for the revelation. Go ahead and do it now.
“Whatever you ask the Father in My name, He will give you. Until now, you have not asked anything in My name; ask and you will receive, so that your joy may be complete.” - John 16:23-24
My heart had been having a hard time. Life can be a lot. We get tired. Even with incredible moments of provision and delight, the battle still rages on.
I love the Lord, I make every effort to renew my mind and wrap myself fully in my royal identity; yet I am ever aware of my humanity, this jar of clay. People often see me as this strong woman, but I am also very tender and feel deeply. I wrestle with temptations, hurts, wrong motives, deep disappointments, grief over disappointing others, fear, doubts, vulnerabilities, second-guessing, selfishness…all of it. But I know that my strength, stability, and sanctification come from Jesus, not myself. He is my savior, my source, my shield, my best friend, and my lover. Yet He is also—and this is important—my Lord. There is so much joy in surrendering to Him. So much peace.
I’ve had to surrender so many things throughout my life—it’s never easy. It often hurts. Sometimes it hurts so bad you feel like you’re dying. Other times it’s so incredibly undignifying. But you know what happens? The sweetest fellowship with Jesus! And once you taste it, you are marked forever.
“Jesus, you are all I want or need. Jesus, you are all I long to please. My portion and my prize, my joy and my delight, are found in You.” - (lines from ‘Single Mind’ by Jeremy Riddle)
If you’re feeling stuck or having a hard time, especially with your heart (even though you are spending time in the Word), here are a few simple things to engage in this week that can help awaken you more to His love:
Go on walks. They don’t have to be long; you don’t need a lot of time. Even just five minutes walking with Jesus can be so life-giving. I love going on walks at all times—early in the morning, in the heat of the day, during the vibrance of dusk, and even in the dark of night when the stars and moon are my light. These are my prayer walks. I talk to Jesus, but I also am silent and listening. Ideas and clarity often come in this space. I keep watch to see His beauty and glory in creation. Movement—outside of the home and away from distraction—helps to focus my dialogue with God.
Sing. Simple choruses, hymns, psalms, made-up new songs. Sing in your native tongue and sing in the spirit. You are singing your heart awake. This really has an impact when I do this in mundane moments throughout my day. I find I react to things less from my flesh and more in line with the fruits of the Holy Spirit. Ephesians 5:18-19 encourages this very thing as a way to be filled with the Holy Spirit.
Create. With Him. Try something new. Put on worship, light a candle, invite the Holy Spirit to move through you, and do art by yourself or with your children or friends. Be childlike. Don’t worry about the outcome or creating anything “good.” Try one of the workshop collectives at the prayer room—either the art workshop or the writing workshop. See what bubbles up. You might be surprised. Last week at the art workshop, God surprised us with layers of meaning hidden in our chosen colors and lines; He used each one of us to paint a message to ourselves even when we didn’t know it was happening at the time! It was so rich.
Make a date with Jesus—whether in the prayer room this week, out in nature, in your city, or in your own prayer closet. Be with Him. Words optional, presence everything. Let Him lead you.
He is worth it. If you’re struggling to feel that truth, tell Him. He understands our wrestling, our sleepy hearts, our doubts, our questions. Go to Him with it all. Ask Him to sing you awake, love you alive.
Lord, set me on fire like I’ve never been before.
Hope to see you this week in the prayer room! Here’s a song I’ve listened to recently. (There are so many good releases in the last few weeks! Be sure to check out the new Cageless Birds album and the new Josh Garrels if you haven’t already.)
Cutting Through by Young Oceans
Great post — beautiful insights and invitations.
Love the practical steps for purposeful re-awakening!