What Will You Choose?

PC: Sharon Surman Photography

 I hear him say: (9.6.22)

“I want you to seek my heart today, My Love. My heart is full to overflowing for you. I want you to come and enjoy my company without striving- without the pressure to perform and be perfect with me. I just want your heart. 

I want to hear your thoughts. I want you to share your feelings with me. Don’t worry, I’m not out to berate you for any of those emotions you deem “negative.” I can handle your frustration, sadness, discouragement, hatred, You name it. Even if you’re feeling negative things towards me, I’m not offended. I see the pain. I understand. I sympathize with you in your weakness. I understand the trials of humanity. 

Don’t you remember? I came to be with you. They call me Emmanuel. 

They call me the “Man of Sorrows.” I’m acquainted with pain. 

I don’t want you to put on a front with me- pretending everything is “fine,” when you feel like you’re falling apart on the inside. It doesn’t matter to me how often you need me. You don’t run out of “asks.” Even if you’re calling out for help all day long, I always stop to listen and extend my arm to support you. I desire for you to ask me for help. You’re the one who despises your weakness. I don’t! Don’t run and hide from me when you mess up or feel burdened, run TO me! I’m the only one who can save you! 

Like a little child, I want you to be uninhibited- freely speaking your mind. I desire you to run to me, like a beloved child runs to their parent. Share with me what’s going on. I’m here to free you from guilt, shame, and condemnation. My love is coming to blast open the walls in your heart and set you free. 

There is a choice you get to make- When the pain or struggle comes at you head-on you can retreat back to what you used to do to comfort yourself or you can run full-on into my shelter of protection, my heart. 

The things you once used to fill the void were like sedatives they’ve damped your fire for me and made you sleepy. They promised to help you numb the pain or distract you from it. But the truth is, it was only a shallow attempt to cover up the problem. Your old way was a bandaid on a bigger wound. You may have told yourself. “The pain doesn’t matter. I survived. I’m strong. I can make my home in the pain even. That's what this life offers anyway.” Well, what if I don’t want you to live there any more? You are jaded and battle-wounded. You survived- true- but you haven’t thrived. I have more for you if you’ll trust me. 

Will you follow me or will you choose to cling to the pain? Are you afraid this is all too good to be true? If I said it, will I not accomplish it? Are you afraid of being hurt again? I am your defender, protector, and redeemer and you WILL know me as such. 

I’m asking you to let me help you. It’s nothing to be ashamed of. Let your pride go. You need me. The arrows in your back sting, I know, but you need to see they were from the enemy. You need to forgive as an act of your will, not withhold it because you don’t feel “ready.” You’ll never feel “ready.” The act of forgiving comes first, then the feelings start to align. Every time the negative thoughts towards them resurface, your job is to halt them and engage my spirit, forgiving again. He sent them to thwart your destiny, to hold you in bondage to bitterness. Let me unlock the door and set you free to love wholeheartedly again. I’m removing the trust issues you’ve had. It’s time you see yourself healed. 

Your identity should not be found in what you went through. It should be in your redemption. What man meant to harm you with, I turned for your good! Let this be your daily declaration. I’m bringing you beauty for ashes, joy for mourning, a garment of praise instead of a spirit of heaviness. 

What I am asking of you is this- Invite me into those places and memories and let me heal. That’s who I am, “The Lord who heals you- Yahweh Rapha.” Give me your pain. Give me license to challenge you- To call you to living above and not beneath, to live as a victor not as a victim, to lift your head. 

Your life isn’t over, it’s just begun! Today- and every day that follows- is a new day to explore deeper the depths of my love for you. My mercy and grace are chasing you down. You WILL be completely free in me! Lay down your weapons of self-defense and let me love you to wholeness. You’re not who you once were. You’re my beloved. That’s your title. Wear it like a seal upon your heart. 

See, my banner of love waving over you? It’s always right above you. Receive it by faith. Choose to accept my truth even when your soul wants to reject it. The enemy has trained you to think low of yourself. I’m breaking those chains. Rejection has had it’s day. I’m coming to evict it. My love is FOR you! You weren’t chosen last by me. In fact, I chose you first! While you were yet a sinner, I saw your worth. Your heart is more valuable than all the wealth in the world, more dear to me than my own life. You’re chosen, accepted, redeemed by my blood, forgiven, and deeply loved. 

 I don’t want you to try to earn love. I want you to live in it. Swim in the ocean of my love for you. Sit at my table of affection and feast on my love. Let it brighten your eyes. Let it restore your confidence and hope. I’m restoring your former luster. I’m putting my glorious light inside of you on display, for the whole world to see.” 

Isaiah 53:3 

Hebrews 4:15-16 

Exodus 15:26 

Genesis 50:20

Song of Songs 8:6

Song of Songs 2:4

Isaiah 60:1-3 

Kaeley ♡