It's Because He Loves Me

Obviously, it’s been a while, but let’s just say I’m an amazing and consistent blogger acting like an inconsistent one. So what can I say except, “God is good!!” Here’s just a little bit of what I know…

First, a tid bit from last week – I’m pretty sure it was Mario Murillo that spoke on this. He was saying that it would be easier – and I’m sure any parent would agree – for him to give up his own life for his son. Anyone would take the place of their children, especially if they only have one child. But God did the opposite, which had to be WAY harder; He GAVE UP His only Son for us. Now don’t you think a God who would GIVE His only Son for the purpose of providing a way for salvation/redemption also provide for our basic needs?! COME ON! Of course He will! Why do we worry so much about our basic needs? We have THE greatest Provider EVER – so knock it off with the worrying. 

I don’t remember who told this story a few Sundays ago, and I’m sure I’ll get some details wrong, but basically there was a woman who was a hoarder, and someone told her that “God is in a good mood.” From that point forward she stopped hoarding, because she thought, “If God is in a good mood, then He’ll always take care of me and provide for me.” HA, how awesome is that?! A woman instantaneously set free from hoarding (from fear of lack) because she found out that God is in a good mood!

Now on to why God loves me…well, of course just because He’s good. And He doesn’t love me because of who I am or what I do; He loves me because of WHO HE IS. It’s His nature; He can’t help it.  So I came back from Christmas break a little down and out – I missed home, didn’t want to come back to school, and was really ready to pack up and head back to GA. Of course, I wouldn't pack up and leave simply for the sake of finishing out the school year. But I know I’m here for a reason, and I want to enjoy the process, because what’s the point of doing something or staying somewhere simply because "it's the right thing to do?" Holy Spirit’s always speaking/teaching and I want in on that! I want more than "doing the right thing!" I want expectation rising up inside!

So I say, “OK God. I’m here. I need help with my attitude. What do I need to do?”

Well, first of all, I needed to stay connected with people. We were never created to be independent – even the Trinity is INTERdependent; why in the world would we think God created us any differently? We were made in HIS image. So I’m realizing we were created to be interdependent on God and others. No, not lazy and insufficient, but we have others in our lives to share with, to laugh and cry with, to kick us in the butt when we need it and to lift us up when we’re down. They often see things we don’t and God has placed them there to speak into our lives and be a covering over our lives so we can be the complete and whole "us" we were created to be. So I’m working on letting others in and receiving what they have to give. So the Lord's first step in breaking off the sadness - give me an attitude check and reveal my need for interdependence. Check. 

It's because He loves me.

NEXT ON THE LIST…well, aside from being homesick and wanting to run away from our crazy and intense school schedule, I’ve been a little disappointed that I haven’t seen Kim Walker-Smith yet. She was the first connection I had to Bethel and has totally been an inspiration to me in worship (generally and musically) and has radically helped me be the worshiper I am simply by her example. At this point, she was the ONLY person I haven’t heard lead worship yet; anyway, I get to church on a Sunday night where worship by Jeremy Riddle was great and the Lord totally provided some breakthrough from the giant wall I felt was in front of me; then Bill announces we have a surprise speaker – It’s KIM! It wasn’t worship, but I was just as excited to hear her speak, and it probably rocked me just as much as anything else would have. Her story was exactly where I’m at right now in life as she shared her experience as a first year student at Bethel. It was SUPER encouraging for me, and I left knowing that night was totally for me. It’s because He loves me!

THEN, fast forward a few weeks; I signed up to help out with the Jesus Culture conference here in Redding. They had two locations – Bethel and the Convention Center. I signed up to volunteer at Bethel just because I like the “homey” size and feel over the Convention Center. I figured the main Jesus Culture band would be at the CC, but knew I would enjoy whatever was planned for Bethel. So I heard that Banning was speaking at Bethel that night, which is always awesome, and that the Torwalts were doing worship, which is awesome as well.  As a volunteer you never know what you’re really getting into or if you’ll even be near any of the “action” so to speak. So let me just tell you how much God loves me…that night, I got to love on people that came from all over the U.S. (probably the world too) to the conference, and I was assigned to a position in the sanctuary at the back of the room with a full view; by this point, I’m in a good mood and happy as it is. Then, I’m getting ready for worship, and what do I see…the Torwalts? Oh no, it’s the actual Jesus Culture band!!! Holy…Spirit! You are awesome! Chris and Kim come out and my heart is so ridiculously full I can’t contain it! Worship with Kim and Chris, speaking by Banning...does it get any better? I’m glad you asked…because it totally does! The crowd cleared out pretty fast after the conference, and my friend and I are going to get our stuff before leaving, but we have to go back through the sanctuary to get out…and O.M.G. Kim and Chris are taking pics with a few people that are still there, so I jump in with both of them and get pictures! My trip to Bethel is complete…

It’s because He loves me! 

Well, in my mind the trip is complete, but I’m sure God still has a few things up His sleeve…I’m going to England in less than a month for crying out loud! You know that’s going to be good!

All that to say, “He loves me.” Why? Because He’s good. It’s who He is.