The Deepest Movement: Rooting Ourselves in God's Inexhaustible Love
I thought I had my word for the year. It seemed to align what I thought was emerging, and it, too seemed ok dancing with me through the year. But if I’m honest, something deep inside knew it wasn’t true love.
Earlier this month I attended the Refine retreat hosted by Kris Camealy. The theme was Seasons of the Soul. While the calendar tells us we have four seasons, each lasting three months, nature - and our lives - often don’t follow that schedule. Some seasons seem to stretch on endlessly.
As I sat with the question, what season am I in? I realized, much like my word, I had a season I was ready for…yet it wasn’t quite ready for me.
What about you? If you paused for a moment, what season would you say you’re in? Have you ever thought you had the right word or direction, only to realize something deeper was stirring? I had a word in mind…any guesses on what it was?
My answer landed in the False Spring category. Here in these parts, we experience hopeful spring-like days followed by what old-timers call “Redbud Winter” and “Dogwood Winter” - brief returns of cold that remind us spring hasn’t fully arrived.
These glimpses of spring tease the plants with an invitation to burst forth or peek out from under a pile of leaves. But when the cool, damp, wintry weather returns it can cause significant setbacks.
Can you relate? Are you someone who bursts forth at the first sign of warmth, or do you cautiously peek out, waiting to be sure?
I’ve been in a season of undoing long-held beliefs - AND - feeling the stirrings of something new. Much like those blooms ready to emerge, I sense the shift – but also the wisdom to wait.
Back to the retreat…it was a fun time of creative journaling. I love that, as image bearers of our Creator God, He speaks through our creative endeavors and those of others.
On one table sat beautiful creations made by Kris, each with a word or phrase as part of the art.
One piece in particular pricked my soul –
“I’ll look again later…”
Looked later, it was still there.
“If no one else takes it…”
At the end of the retreat, it was still there. And so, it ended up back on the plane with me.
Have you ever had a moment like that? A time when something kept tugging at you until you finally paid attention?
Now, it sits amidst the art journaling I created, where I linger for my quiet time.
And it continues to challenge me.
It’s as if I hear the Lord saying:
“Do you believe it’s true?”
“What?” I ask.
“My love for you…you can’t exhaust it, Lisa. You won’t come to the end of it. Do you believe that?”
Pause.
“I want that truth planted in every cell of your being. This is what you need and what you want, and I have it in the perfect size for you. My love for you is inexhaustible.”
“hmmm…so this is what it feels like when a word chooses you…”
Sounds a bit like Paul’s words in Ephesians 3:16-19, “I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being…I pray you, being rooted and established in love, may have power…to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ.”
Since many times, what I’m learning is for you as well, what if we went to that well each time we had a need, want or desire?
Instead of that secretive cookie, the Amazon cart, the Netflix binge, or the glass of wine –
What if we went and told God all about our experience from our perspective? …pause... Then ask, “Is there anything You want to speak into the situation?”…pause again.
This has been my favorite way of praying as of late. A couple of recent experiences – these were the thoughts that flashed when I paused:
“I’m especially fond of so-and-so.”
“What if you submitted to your husband?”
Both came out of left field, so I know they weren’t my thoughts. But as soon as they came, peace followed.
A side note that could be a whole post in itself – the pause – is where our relationship grows deeper. “Be still, and know that I am God.” (Psalm 46:10) Stillness allows room for truth to surface and also sink in.
The above conversation continues during a pause, and I sense Him adding, “There is more where that came from Lisa – it’s an inexhaustible love I have for you. I care about the number of hairs on your head, the sparrows, and the lilies in the fields.
So, of course, I care about what you are experiencing and what it looks like from your perspective!”
“Indeed, the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Don’t be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows.” (Luke 12:7)
Of course, I have read this verse and can quote it. I am continually amazed by the difference between head knowledge and heart knowledge.
Spring is a time of planting seeds in the ground – and perhaps planting truth into every cell of our bodies. It seems as though ensuring the soil is rich in nutrients is an important step. Also, waiting for him to say “Today might be a good day to peek your head out” may be wiser than relying on your own logic, especially when this week’s signs point to spring but a winter flux could be right around the corner.
If you too, sense parts of you aren’t fully on board with this kind of a love, perhaps inexhaustible is a word for you too – a reminder that God’s love is endless, unwavering, and always enough.
What’s one small way you can let this truth sink in to your soul (soil) today?
And just for fun - any guesses on what my word was? Drop your guess in the comments before reading on!
Your comments mean so much to me – not only do they encourage me, but when you engage by hitting comments, it helps others find this space too. If something in this post spoke to you, I’d love to hear about it! And of course, if you’d like to support my work, buying me coffee is always a sweet way to encourage me.
So, my word was movement. Movement felt right at the time – like I was supposed to step into something new. But now, I see God leading me deeper, like a patient gardner inviting me to root myself in His inexhaustible love. And maybe that’s the deepest movement of all.
Til Next Time,
Lisa
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fluid
Lisa this really hit home for me. A good reminder that we are to wait on God's timing for things and just continue to trust him in it all, even if it's not exactly what we had hoped for. His love for us is big enough to sustain and satisfy us even when we struggle. And I can enjoy him during that time.