My husband text me a YouTube link to a song this week, insisting I listen to it. On my way home, I clicked on the link and it took me to a Gaither Vocal Band video. Not surprising. Brandon is a Southern Gospel junkie, always sharing songs with me in an effort to convert me. Not a ‘convert’ quite yet….
The song choice was simple. The quartet sang an artistic version of Jesus Loves Me, a very familiar tune. This time, I stopped and actually listened to the lyrics, struck for the first time by the depth of the simple, child-like lyrics.
They spoke to this heart of mine that leans too much on how I feel about a situation. I’ve been told there is a name for this- an emotive thinker. Assessing a situation primarily by the feeling associated with it. This brings both strengths and weaknesses to my personality. The weakness is that I use emotion filled lenses to view life, which just scues my perception of threats, change, opinions, and even love.
So what did I hear for the first time in this childhood classic? I’m glad you asked!
“Jesus loves me, this I know.”
Jesus loves me, said with confidence. As His child, whether I am on fire for Him or royally screwing everything up, He loves me. Nothing I do can make Him love me anymore or any less.
But what about when I don’t feel like He could possible love me? How do I feel that?
“For the Bible tells me so.”
That’s just it. It’s not about me feeling it. It’s about something outside of me. Something concrete.
“But God demonstrates His own love for us in this; while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.”
Roman’s 5:8
“Little ones to Him belong.”
Belong. On days I feel out of place or like I dont fit in, I need to be reminded that with Christ, I always belong.
“They are weak, but He is strong.”
Man, do I have days of feeling weak. Feeling like I spin my wheels trying and still contribute nothing. Days I feel like others have to continually pick up the slack for me. But He loves me in my weakness, and He promised to be my strength.
But surely Jesus couldn’t love me that much…has He seen what I’ve done? How many times I’ve failed Him?
“Yes, Jesus loves me.”
Ok, but does He know what I’ve thought about other people this week? I’ve thought some pretty wicked things…..
“Yes, Jesus loves me.”
But I havent done enough good stuff lately. Good people are easier to love, right?
“Yes, Jesus loves me.”
But I feel so alone and beat up right now. If I’m really loved, shouldn’t I feel loved?
“The Bible tells me so.”
His love us not about how I feel, but what the Bible says.
“He will rejoice over you with gladness; He will quiet you by His love; He will rejoicenover you with loud singing.”
Zephaniah 3:17b
The repetitiveness of the lyrics struck me today. How many times do I need to be told this truth to really believe in the love of Jesus? Multiple time a day, and some days more than others. The more I tell myself this truth from the Bible, the easier it becomes to believe in my heart, not just in my head. And I slowly shift to different lenses, seeing life as a loved daughter of God, and not through the ebbs and flows of my fickle emotions.
Tauren Wells also said it well in his newest song, “Known”-
“I’m fully known and loved by You, You won’t let go no matter what I do
It’s not one or the other, It’s hard truth and ridiculous grace
To be known, fully known, and loved by You.”
Well said… Always nice to have a fresh look at something “simple” from childhood and fufi even greater truth
Thank you, Shauna :). Sometimes those simple truths are more insightful than something deep and profound. And I know I need a lot of reminders of those simple truths!