"...neither life nor death, nor angels nor rulers nor things present nor things to come...

nor powers, nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord." - Romans 8.38-39


I've probably heard this song played in church a few dozen times and many more times on my computer or mp3 player. But the words seem to resonate so much deeper when I am finally able to quiet myself and listen to the message of love flowing forth.

Lord it was you who created the heavens
Lord it was your hands, that put the stars in the place
Lord it is your voice that commands the morning
Even oceans and their waves bow your feet

Lord who am I compared to your glory, oh Lord?
Lord who I am-- compared to your majesty?

I am your beloved, your creation
and you love me as I am
You have called me chosen for your kingdom,
unashamed to call me your own
I am your beloved

If you have this song on iTunes, then I encourage you to put it on an just let the words sink in. I hope you are able to fathom even only a minute fraction of the great depth of the only love that could prompt such a song.


When I reflect on this song, I truly am in awe of the tremendous love that God has for us. The chorus is especially powerful in light of the preceding verse. God created the entire universe. Nothing came into existence and nothing continues to exist without him. He is above everything and yet he chose to let his Son step down from his heavenly throne so that we could have a relationship with him. That meant he loved us even before we knew him. (Excuse the OC reference, but) it reminds me of Seth and Summer. Even before we knew he existed, even before we acknowledged him, God loved us and longed to be with us. That in itself is miraculous to me.

As I listen to the chorus, my heart can't help but to leap and sing. I am God's beloved and he is unashamed to call me his own. One of my greatest struggles as a Christian is probably due to the fact that people don't criticize me enough. Sure, I've come a "long" way since surrendering my life to Christ, but all too often I slip back into my sinful ways. Every time I listen to this song, I am reminded of just how far short I have fallen and just how wretched I am. And yet this gives me hope. It warms my heart because God has loved me in spite of all my imperfections and he loves me without shame.

That last part is huge for me. As a kid, I often felt like my parents didn't love me. Or even if they loved me, they weren't proud of me-- maybe they were even ashamed of me. I wasn't as naturally talented as my older brother. I'm not as intelligent. I was so shy that I gave off the impression of disrespecting my elders. I was the kid that no one wanted to claim. No one except God. Even before I was earning the praise of other people, God called me his own. There is no greater love in all the world.