Beloved-“greatly loved; dear to the heart” as defined by the dictionary app.

I’ve read this word many times, but have never really stopped to ponder what it means or to allow it to truly seep to the depths of my heart. The God of the universe calls me and you His “beloved”. God call Jesus His “beloved son” in Matthew 3:17-NKJV (after Jesus was baptized by John the Baptist): “And suddenly a voice came from heaven, saying “This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.” The Apostle John used ‘beloved’ in 1 John 3:21 when He was talking to believers- “Beloved, if our heart does not condemn us, we have confidence toward God.” Beloved is used in scripture to describe believers of Jesus Christ and seems to denote a very deep and intimate type of relationship.

When I think of how much God loved Jesus, I can only compare it to how much I love my children. They are my beloved and as a child of God, I am His beloved. Sometimes it’s hard for me to wrap my mind-intellect around that concept. Maybe it’s because it’s not physically tangible in the same sense we experience here in this world-like a big hug. When I step out of my intellect and open my eyes and ears, I can see God all around me- in nature- the beauty of sunrises and sunsets, the song of birds, the warmth of the sun and the lull of rainy days. I see Him in His word- a verse that speaks to me by “jumping” off the page, even though I may have read it many times before. I see Him in worship-the words or melody of a song, in prayer- the peace in His presence and through random acts of kindness that come just when needed- an encouraging word, a smile and a genuine hug.

To be His beloved is unchanging. It’s not based on circumstances, works or anything other than who He is-Love. First John 3:20-21 NKJV-“for if our heart condemns us, God is greater than our heart, and knows all things. Beloved, if our heart does not condemn us, we have confidence toward God.” Throughout life we strive to be loved and known by others, when God has already fulfilled that need. God knows everything about us and still loves us. God may not be happy with some of our behaviors and in a loving parental role with correct us, but He never stops loving us. The enemy whispers lies to us to keep us from truly receiving and trusting the Lord in this matter. The evil one wants me to not trust, to doubt, to cower away from the truth of God’s love, because when I do, I am not living in all that God has for me and wants to do through me. There is peace in truly accepting God’s love and allowing that to be the absolute truth above all else. We need to allow His love for us to be the catalyst for living a life solely for Him. It takes intentionality to stay focused on God’s truths and not allow the whispers of the enemy to enter our heart and to distract us from God’s truth.

My prayer for myself and all reading is-Lord, keep my ears, eyes and thoughts focused on You. Lord with your help I choose to trust the depths of Your love for me and I choose to trust You in all aspects of my life. Thank You for all you’ve already done, for all you will do and for always being with me. Amen