And the World Fades Away.

You know, I got on here to blog about the complications of my life and wondering about why I seem so stupid sometimes....but then the song "Your Love is Extravagant" by The Almost came on.

Oh man.

I just have to sit here and let this sink in.

So basically I feel like I'm a mess. But then I remember the deep, unimaginable love of my King...and everything fades away. Seriously, everything. And He's all I can see and suddenly nothing matters anymore. As long as I can spend all of my days gazing upon Your beauty...that's all I want and that's all I need. My life never makes more perfect sense than when I'm looking upon the cross.

"I find I'm moving to the rhythms of your grace, your fragrance is intoxicating in our secret place. Your love is extravagant."

So, in Romans, Paul says "Having gifts that differ according to the grace given to us, let us use them: if prophecy, in proportion to our faith; if service, in our serving; the one who teaches, in his teaching; the one who exhorts, in his exhortation; the one who contributes, in generosity; the one who leads, with zeal; the one who does acts of mercy, with cheerfulness."

(Romans 12:6-8 ESV)

Okay, so each of us has been given a spiritual gift by the grace of God, to the glory of His name. And for the past year I've been walking around acting like the gift of mercy that God has put in my heart was a burden. Why do I have to love people so uninhibitedly? Why does it seem like I'm foolishly accepting when it comes to loving people that have hurt me, trampled over me, and betrayed me? Why do people judge me when I'm just doing what I feel like is right? And why does my heart come out tattered in the end? Someone tries to control me and takes advantage of me, and I just look past it and invite them into my heart. For some that looks like foolishness. But let us not forget that Paul also says not all of the members of the body have the same gift.

So, just like I look at someone whose gift is discernment or prophecy or something like that, that I don't have, and I don't understand it! But does it mean that they're wrong? No! And if having mercy on people who many would say don't deserve to be in my life causes me to further understand the depths of God's mercy on myself...then isn't this actually a gift? If it magnifies His name, isn't it good?

What bounds should love have?


Let love be genuine. Abhor what is evil; hold fast to what is good. Love one another with brotherly affection. Outdo one another in showing honor. Do not be slothful in zeal, be fervent in spirit, serve the Lord. Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer. Contribute to the needs of the saints and seek to show hospitality.
Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse them. Rejoice with those who rejoice, weep with those who weep.

(Romans 12:9-15 ESV)

If I can spend my days POURING myself out to people, I believe that would be the greatest gift God could grant me. Even if it means letting people into my life who "aren't worthy" in the eyes of the world. I think it's important to realize that we're COMPLETELY unworthy of God's love and grace. But really. LIKE LOOK AT IT, LOOK IT IN THE FACE FOR WHAT IT IS.

How blind could we be? If we harbor unforgiveness in our hearts, I believe that's the most deplorable thing we could do. But really. BUT REALLY.

"I've been dirtier than you wanna know."

Except God knows. He knows every dirty, disgusting, inconceivably bad thought I've ever had. He's seen the imbearable hatred I've held in my heart. He's witnessed my blasphemous narcissism. He was right there when I cursed Him to His face. When He reached out to take my hand, I TOLD HIM HE WAS NOT TRUE.

But he persisted.

He never gave up on me. He kept coming back. Kept calling me out. He has GRACE AND MERCY on me every day.

That's ridiculous. And this is the mercy He calls us to have on others. SO STOP MAKING EXCUSES. No, I'm serious. Why are we SO BLIND? Learn from the actions of our Creator. It's point blank obvious. Even so, my heart makes excuses, and I know yours does too. Right now, we're both coming up with exceptions.... "but this person did that" "but this" "but that"

BUT YOU. Look at yourself. And I'm talking to myself right now. Just. Take a look. With eyes that are open. And realize that God has shown you mercy that doesn't make sense. So, when I have mercy on others in a way that looks STUPID to the world around me, I don't have to be ashamed. Of course I'll be judged for it. It's not normal. It just isn't. But to tell someone that they're mercy on others is foolish or stupid....if it's reflective of the mercy that God himself has on us, the MOST undeserving before the MOST HIGH GOD, well...aren't you calling God Himself foolish?


Before you deny it, think about it.


It's stupid.





"Your love is extravagant. Your friendship is so intimate. I find I'm moving to the rhythms of your grace, your fragrance is intoxicating in our secret place. Your love is extravagant."

I want to love extravagantly. And I will. By the grace of God.

"Spread wide in the arms of Christ is a love that covers sin. No greater love have I ever known, you consider me your friend. Capture my heart again."

Everything makes sense when I gaze upon my King. And the world fades away.

...Capture my heart again. Oh, how you love.