Captivated By Unconditional Love

It’s been awhile since I wrote, but I wanted to share something that is on my heart. Some things have shifted in my life and I have found a wonderful community in a local church. A church that is home where I feel safe and comfortable.

You know a place that is home that captivates your heart where you don’t want to leave but stay forever. That is how God has recaptured my heart, not just with this church community but personally. 

 Anyways, The Lord has been doing a work inside of me, refining, purifying, my heart of timidness, shyness, and the need to hide in the background.

For so long I struggled with wanting to hide because I did not want to be in the way, or thought I was never good enough. There was a long time where I thought I had to strive to earn God’s love and people’s approval. 

But, God…has shown me how much He loves me as I am. Where I do not have to clean myself up before I go to Him my Father. I can just run to the Father without fear, shame, insecurity, because God takes all those things away.

When I think about how I can run freely to God, I picture a horse running wild and free without fear. Before I run off on a horse trail, let me stay on course. 

The Lord has captivated my heart in showing me unconditional love that astounds me. So much so, that I can hardly contain my renewed hope to wait for God’s best, meaning a man who is worth the wait to marry.

The Lord has given me encouragement through going to a marriage class at my church. That’s right you heard me, a marriage class that is even open to singles, it is a blessing and I have only been to two classes so far. Which means God has more blessings ahead. 

But that is not the only way He has been stripping away the timidness from me, but giving me the courage to join a softball team, and start a small group.

All of these things are stretching me to step out in faith. I could not do them without the unconditional love of God pouring into me.

Each new thing is a declaration of courage to say I can rest in that God loves me, just the way that I am. And every step I take in obedience to God is a step further resting in His love instead of striving. 

There are a couple of quotes that I want to share from a book that I’ve been reading that will encourage you. 

“Nothing changed me like resting in the realization that God loves me…just as I am.” Kyle Winkler 

“Now that the cross has rendered our secrets meaningless and us righteous, how much more should we feel safe with God? Infinitely more, I say. There is no chance of that changing. As soon as I realized this truth, I was able to let love in—after almost thirty years. First and foremost, from God. Then, in time, from some of His people, too. That is because accepting God’s love removes the shame, which then allows you to take down your walls to let some trusted people see into the real you. The feeling—and healing—of love compounds from there, I promise.” Kyle Winkler

The more I realize God loves me and all my imperfections, the more I can let go of the timidness that has been holding me back in fear. When this truly sinks into my heart I begin to speak up and be bold. I admit there are still times I slink back into timidness and being shy.

Yet, God is still faithful to help me step out again in faith. I know He will do the same for you if you are struggling to see how loved you are. Once we are captivated by God’s love there is no going back. 

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 Kyle Winkler, (2024) Permission To Be Imperfect, How to Stive Less, Stress Less, Sin Less, Chosen Books A Division of Baker Books, Grand Rapids MI