Love

“God loves each of us as if there were only one of us.” (Saint Augustine)

When I hear a song that speaks to some part of me, I am curious as to what made the artist write it. This was the case with Lauren Daigle’s song, “You Say.” In her own words, here is the insight Lauren gives us on these moving lyrics:

When writing “You Say,” I remember feeling conflicted. It was the first moment in life where I felt a crossroads happens. Where I can see the past and the future, and realize how I’m supposed to exist in the present. It was one of those moments where I could see where things were going and I knew exactly where I came from, and I needed those worlds to l be united together

The issues of trying to figure out how to exist when I felt like so many things were pulling me in so many different directions. I think a lot of times I build emotional dwelling places based on insecurity, fear, rejection, and lies that I have to constantly overcome. For me, this song was message of identity. It was a reminder of when I’m weak, He’s strong. How do I constantly bring Him into my everyday life?

When I feel inadequate, how is it that there’s moments when God steps in and overcomes my shortcomings. The single, You Say,” helped remind me daily on stage of the eternal truth of this song. Don’t get buried in confusion or rebelliousness. Just remember to be steady on your route in life. That’s the point behind “You Say.”

 [Verse 1]
I keep fighting voices in my mind that say I’m not enough
Every single lie that tells me I will never measure up
Am I more than just the sum of every high and every low?
Remind me once again just who I am, because I need to know

[Chorus]
You say I am loved when I can’t feel a thing
You say I am strong when I think I am weak
You say I am held when I am falling short
When I don’t belong, oh You say I am Yours
And I believe, oh I believe
What You say of me
I believe

[Verse 2]
The only thing that matters now is everything You think of me
In You I find my worth, in You I find my identity

[Chorus]

[Verse 3]
Taking all I have and now I'm laying it at Your feet
You have every failure God, and You'll have every victory

[Chorus]

In the song, “You Say,” God’s love for us is pictured in many different ways. There was nothing that forced God to love us. He loves us because He wants to love us. The Heavenly Father has demonstrated His love for His children in a variety of ways.  

·        God Adopted Us: During the adoption process, a parent chooses to love a child because they want to do so even though there is no previous obligation to that child. There instead is only the voluntary entrance into creating a loving relationship. In a similar way, we have been brought into God’s family because He wanted to show love to us. It is a powerful form of love when someone decides to care for someone without any prior obligation. God picked us to be a part of His loving family and made us heirs with His son, Jesus Christ.

 

·        God Blesses Us with Trials (and Hope): God allows us freewill to make our own choices, and gives us the opportunity to experience trials. He wants us to grow, and become better people. Adversity provides us with the opportunity to become the person God wants us to be. God will never lead you on a path that you cannot get through because He walks by your side. God gives us hope that even in the most insufferable times that we will survive and make it through. He is patient with each of us as we grow in our faith.

 

·        God Created You: God took the time to create the stars, planets, mountains, and oceans that now make up our entire world. God so lovingly created man and woman to reflect the beauty of their Creator. God took the time to craft each and every one of us with His loving hands. You were planned before you were born. God put thought and care into your design.

 

·        God Gave Us a Way to Access Him: God loves the world so much that He made a way for you to get to know Him and love Him. God created a set of rules, much like a parent would set for their children, to help guide us and focus on our loving relationship. He wants us to choose Jesus. He gave you the Bible so you can know the truth, hope and promises He offers, and have the tools you need to live the best life possible through Him. We cannot earn God’s love as He has already placed His loving hand on each of us. He gave us a way to build that relationship by allowing us to access Him 24/7 through prayer.

 

·        God's Adores You: Throughout the Bible, God never equates material blessings, achievements, or social status with his love. He never says that those with ideal families, dream jobs, or healthy bodies are more loved than others. You can feel God's love through. God does love you.

 

·        Jesus, God’s Son, Died for You: Jesus died for every single person on this earth because He loved each one of us. Real sins like anger, lust, and evil were all weighted down on Jesus as He suffered. While you were still a sinner, Jesus died for you. We may not understand fully why we deserve this kind of love and sacrifice, but we can plead to the Jesus for guidance and growth.

“As we express our gratitude, we must never forget that the highest appreciation is not to utter words, but to live by them.” (John F. Kennedy)[i]

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[i] Adapted from:

·        “5 Ways God Loves You” by Megan Bailey

·        Story Behind the Song “You Say” by Lauren Daigle