“I am afraid,” she said. “I have been told that
if you really love someone you give that loved one the power to hurt
and pain you in a way nothing else can.”
“That is true,” agreed the Shepherd. “To love does mean to put your self into the power of the loved one and to become very vulnerable to pain, and you are very much-afraid of pain, are you not?”
“That is true,” agreed the Shepherd. “To love does mean to put your self into the power of the loved one and to become very vulnerable to pain, and you are very much-afraid of pain, are you not?”
-Hinds Feet on High Places by Hannah Hurdard
First thing, if you haven't read the above book...I highly recommend it. This allegorical novel speaks to the depths of our souls. It enchants us, it challenges us, it pierces the places we try to hide, and it breathes and brings life.
Secondly, I am a girlfriend.
I say this because, this is a scary thing.
To be in a relationship that is serious and not some flippant thing.
...one that you are fully invested in...is scary.
It's scary because, as Much Afraid realized, you let down all of your tall walls of protection so that the other person might come in and really know and love you.
But it is also a beautiful thing.
A thing that changes and grows and takes on different shapes and forms in various seasons.
It seems that part of God's design in relationships and ultimately marriage was to make us more like Him. To show us the parts of ourselves that are selfish and impatient. To learn to daily die to what we think we are entitled to, to pride, or to the 'victory' that comes in being right.
And it's hard.
Hollywood lies. Storybooks lie. Facebook lies. Older couples lie. Even our friends lie.
Because the truth is, it's hard, and it takes work, and it can be painful, and there really is an enemy that wants to wage war on your relationship.
Because the truth is, it's hard, and it takes work, and it can be painful, and there really is an enemy that wants to wage war on your relationship.
But while we are trying so hard to not be found out (as people who are imperfect and struggle with many things...including the other person at times) we have missed the power that comes with honesty. When you are honest with the people God has put around you (and honest with God), this power can bring radical change to their relationships and heart.
Recently, I had a very raw and open conversation with God. And then one with a girlfriend on a long car ride. What I realized is that certain things need to change, that I was imperfect, and that we all along the way need a wake-up call...something to jolt us back into reality and into a walk that resembles more of Jesus.
And God is faithful to give you everything you need to be able to do this as soon as you surrender it to Him. We are coming out of Rosh Hashanah (The Jewish New Year) and entering into Yom Kippur...a time of really letting the Holy Spirit reveal to you the hidden things in your heart.
I am encouraged that it's a New Year and a new season.
And as I began to embark on this journey, God prepared me with scripture I would need to be sustained and encouraged. Before I'm done, I wanted to share it with you here. If there's something you have not yet attained or a place God is calling you into that you don't think you can really make it to...look at these.
Say them out loud.
Post them around your house.
Write them on your hand.
Because 2 Tim 3:16 and Heb 4:12 tell us the power in the Word of God. We know that it is useful for training and for correcting and that it is living and active and sharper than any double edged sword. It is our life line and paired with the Holy Spirit, the only thing that can truly bring radical change when we find ourselves in a dried up place. I hope they bring life to you and resurrect any dead things you are carrying.
xoxo,
mp
Power Verses
- Hebrews 13:20-21-"That the Great Shepherd of the sheep EQUIPT YOU for doing HIS WILL and may He WORK IN US what is pleasing to Him"
- 1 Corinthians 10:13-"No temptation has seized you except what is common to man and GOD IS FAITHFUL. He will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted He will also PROVIDE A WAY OUT so that you can stand up under it"
- 2 Corinthians 1:9- "Indeed in our hearts we felt the sentence of death BUT this happened so that we might NOT RELY ON OURSELVES but on GOD who raises the dead"
- Hebrews 2:18- "Because He himself suffered when He was tempted He is ABLE TO HELP those who are being tempted"
- Philippians 2:13- "For it is GOD who WORKS IN YOU to will and act according to His good purpose"
