What it Looks Like to Walk {Guest Post :: Jennifer}

Jennifer Camp was a kindred spirit that I met at Relevant. You know how in the Austen-like wording someone might say something like, "She has a way about her." THAT is definitely Jenn. She has this quiet, kind, generous, giving "way" about her. She just listens, but really...she REALLY listens. Do you know what I mean? She is the kind of person that listens not just to be polite, but she listens with her soul. She hears your heartbeat. I believe it is because she is listening with the heart of the Father for you, for whomever crosses her path, whomever reads her blog, You Are My Girls. Jenn has an amazing story of healing and restoration that you will NOT want to miss. Jenn's family consists of the-love-of-her -life-man and three truly-beloved kids. Check out Sisters in Bloom for more of Jennifer's life-giving words.

What it Looks Like to Walk {With Jesus}

I know what it is like to complicate my relationship with God. I know what it is like to believe that my actions control His affections, whether He loves me more or less. I know what is is like to try to be my own savior and walk alone, forgetting that He has named me, designed me in His image . . . that I am adored, perfectly made.

I am good at making my relationship with my Savior seem complicated Are you?

And I am grateful that He comes to tell me -- and you -- this:

Nothing comes between us. There are no chains, no heavy load. My girl, I don't make things complicated. I long to spend time with you, and I don't want anything to come between us. There are illusions that there are barriers between us, but they are nothing that My love can't penetrate.

Trust in Me, even if you don't feel like it. Want to love me, and I will help you to love Me more. Desire to believe that I am enough, and I will show you that I am. Long to listen to My words in you, and you will hear Me speak.

Do you want this life? Do you want freedom, peace, joy, surrender in My arms? I know you feel compelled to do things on your own. And it is difficult for you to see Me then. Although I never leave you, I let you choose to see My face.

I can stand before you and you can be blind and not see Me. I can whisper to your heart, and you can be deaf and not hear. My creation sings around you -- a life to celebrate and participate in and bring more love to, in My name.

Listen, My child: My love for you is a river that swells, its river banks overflowing. It never dries. This is the course of the path where we walk, hand in hand. We follow the course of the river, My love leading the way. My sweet girl, My bride, we walk by the river bank, My Father's love uniting us. We participate in this love of the Father together. What I have, is yours. There are no chains, daughter. How is your heart stirred? I long to remind you that there are no chains.Any rising up in you is My heart pressing into yours, reminding you I am enough: you are adored and chosen. You wear no chains.

Give the small amount of love that you feel you have and I will multiply My love in you. Give what little trust you feel you have and I will lead you to surrendering more. Open your fists that seek to keep holding on to earthly things. Take those weights off, child. There. Now look into My face. Stay here, child.

{Jesus, now that I am here, looking at You, I don't even know how to turn away. . .}

But you do, when you forget that things are simple. There are no strict laws to follow, nor heavy loads that wear you down. There aren't. It is simple: I love you. I am with you. I am enough for you. I love to look on you and have you walk with Me. I have a special place prepared for you but My life with you is not something you have to wait for. Although there is more for you in store, I can't wait to be with you, and My Spirit fills you now. Accompany Me, friend, My bride. We walk with the Father, in His love. What is mine from the Father is yours. No separation, no holding out.

I miss you, sweet one. I want only you. Be with Me today.

Will you accept His invitation with me -- trust, in faith (the little or much we have!) to believe that our relationship with Jesus is profoundly and beautifully simple? We are loved. Despite what we do, we are loved. He gave it all and gives us everything because of His love.

Since then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things. For you died, and your life is now hidden in Christ in God. When Christ, who is your life, appears, then you also will appear with him in glory (Colossians 3: 1-4).

Girls, let's walk: His love will let us walk with freedom, holding His hand. There are no chains.

This month I have asked some of my fellow bloggers to join me here at The Little Missionary Girl All Grown Up to share how they have seen the Relentless Love of the Father in their lives in moments of brokenness, heartache, and valley-of-shadow moments. This post is the 8th in the series of that exploration into the passion of the Father for us

across miles, across personalities, across hearts that are His.

To read more of the posts, click here and here.