This is a passionate cry that originated from an extremely disturbing dream I had a couple of years ago.  I literally saw someone choose death over life. I watched a beautiful soul shrivel up and die. It was horrible! I was a mess...

I started asking myself what I was doing to help bring Jesus to those around me.

I could hear the words from Romans, "How, then, can they call on the one they have not believed in? And how can they believe in the one of whom they have not heard? And how can they hear without someone preaching to them? And how can anyone preach unless they are sent? As it is written: “How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news!"

And  Isaiah 60, "Arise, shine, for your light has come, and the glory of the Lord rises upon you. See, darkness covers the earth and thick darkness is over the peoples, but the Lord rises upon you and his glory appears over you. Nations will come to your light, and kings to the brightness of your dawn.

And that's when I started writing my heart in this song.

I hate to admit this, but it's been too easy for me to focus on the negative, to see the darkness encroaching on our world. I've had to constantly give my discerning and compassionate heart to Jesus to turn toward hope and light. I did that again on this day and peace settled in along with a call to step into His mission of love. Maybe this song is just for me. Or, maybe you find yourself in a similar spot that needs encouraging.

God has already come in the form of Jesus Christ to bring His light, hope and salvation to those who would choose Him. This song is a call to His church. A call to have hope and remember that Jesus has come and given His light to the world. This song is a call to revisit and engage with the compassionate heart of God and to take the gospel of His kingdom to a hurting world. 

Will you allow your heart to stir for those who are lost, your neighbours, co-workers, classmates, family? 

God's love for us is intense.  So much so, that he took the effort to speak very directly with people so we could not mistake the miracle and gift of Jesus' birth. He lavished his love, attention, and affection on us when we weren't even looking for it.

What is it to lavish?  Lavish is an old word with rich meaning, as in, sumptuously rich, luxurious, and elaborate. What does this have to do with Jesus Christ's birth?

On one hand, Jesus left rich & luxurious surroundings to be born into poverty. But on the other hand, God dealt elaborately in matters relating to the people who were directly involved with Jesus' birth, benefiting not only them but us, today, as well.  Here are a few scenarios recorded for us:

• God sent his angel Gabriel to tell Mary that she was chosen to bear His son
  
• God sent angels to Joseph at least 3 times in dreams to instruct him very specifically on what to do with Mary's pregnancy and Jesus safety
  
• He hung a special star that magi would follow, leading right to the doorway of the house that Jesus lived in at the time.
  
• More angels appeared... well, actually a massive crowd of angels appeared to celebrate the announcement of Jesus' birth to the shepherds!
  
• God sent another angel to the magi after they saw Jesus to warn them of Herod's intent to kill Him.
  

What is it to lavish? God's love. He loved so much that He gave.

God gave us Jesus out of his vast supply of love.
And he still gives forever.

Jesus said 'yes' to his father's plan out of his immense love for us. He showed us what true humility and strength look like.
And he still says 'yes' forever.

May our hearts swell and beat fast for this God. May we be drawn deeper into his extravagant love... forever.

May we give the gift that is forever.

Love is one of the greatest quests of humanity.  That's why we never run out of songs to write.  But, have we made love something other than what it is?  Have we made love something that serves us rather than something that serves?  Have we forgotten what love is or, that love is God?

Everything that God does is out of an extreme love for us.  Forgiveness, grace, mercy and yes, even rules.  His love is relentless and bold, kind and personal, holy and right, unswerving and pure.  His love is full; full of life, joy, creativity, energy and adventure.

Let me come at this from a different angle. One of the greatest struggles in my life has been fear.  It has not been intentional and certainly not my quest, but nevertheless it has been there ...a nagging voice always looking to have its way!  Fear opposes love.  It is vocal, demanding, analytical and protective.  Fear never allows love to totally be all it is meant to be for love is too free and does not make sense.  It will never give everything to another because it must hold something back for a rainy day. If that is my axis or plume-line of action, then I will certainly grow more like it over time.  My dreams, talents and relationships will be compromised and I will not be all that I am made to be.  Over time, in essence, I will die.

Jesus said that perfect love casts out fear.  Love is free and does not operate on calculations or keep tabs. Love makes fear mad.  Perfect love is not a thing.  It is pure and free flowing, unconditional and forgiving. Love does not need to be repaid or acclaimed.  It does not need honour for it is honour itself.  Love does not need.  Perfect love is the substance of life and is completely Jesus. 

God is love and His desires for us are out of His perfect love. 
Will you let Love be?

“And so we know and rely on the love God has for us. God is love. Whoever lives in love lives in God, and God in them. This is how love is made complete among us so that we will have confidence on the day of judgment: In this world we are like Jesus. There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love.”
‭‭1 John‬ ‭4:16-18‬ ‭NIV‬‬

A friend put out a public prayer request asking for a non-believer's healing.  It was given with her consent and with the assurance that God is a healer, has been doing some great things in people's lives lately, and that we will ask for a miracle to happen ... that she has a full recovery.

I found myself praying for the individual and then, I thought, "God, Your name is being put out on the line today."  And just as quick as the thought was out, was this realization:  God is His Name!

We serve a great God; One who actually personifies His name. 

Healer  Lover  Provider   Redeemer   Faithful   Friend  Powerful Merciful  Just Compassionate  Forgiving

Let them know that You, whose name is the Lord —
that You alone are the Most High over all the earth.
Psalm 83:18 NIV

God stands by His Name.

There's a verse in Isaiah 41 that has messed with my head for a long time!  You see, in this portion of scripture, God is busy assuring Israel of His help, comfort and deliverance.  He repeatedly encourages them, telling them not to be afraid of the future and that He is holding them.  Then, in verse 14 He comes out with this, "Fear not, you worm Jacob...!"  Why would God say that to them?!

So, I went searching and found the meaning of the word... The original word (Towla) according to Strong's is:  worm, scarlet stuff, crimson.  Now this gets really good, so keep reading...  Listen to what is written as explanation to the above meaning: 

"the worm "coccus ilicis" ++++ When the female of the scarlet worm species was ready to give birth to her young, she would attach her body to the trunk of a tree, fixing herself so firmly and permanently that she would never leave again. The eggs deposited beneath her body were thus protected until the larvae were hatched and able to enter their own life cycle. As the mother died, the crimson fluid stained her body and the surrounding wood. From the dead bodies of such female scarlet worms, the commercial scarlet dyes of antiquity were extracted. What a picture this gives of Christ, dying on the tree, shedding His precious blood that He might "bring many sons unto glory" (Heb. 2:10)  (from page 73, "Biblical Basis for Modern Science", 1985, Baker Book House, by Henry Morris)

Isn't this amazing!  This word wasn't used by God to mock or shame Israel, but to purposely prophesy & affirm that He had chosen them to be the very lineage of Jesus.

Take time to ponder this passage.  Jesus has laid His life down, shed His crimson blood for us to have life now & forever.  He protects us (Psalm 36:7), died for us (John 12:24), shed His blood for us (Colossians 1:19-21) and now lives again through us (Colossians 1:26-28).

What a wonderful Saviour!   What incredible love...

"Do you feel like a lowly worm, Jacob? Don't be afraid. Feel like a fragile insect, Israel? I'll help you. I, GOD, want to reassure you. The God who buys you back, The Holy of Israel."  Isaiah 41:14 MSG