God Wants You to Love Yourselves

Hello, tender friends!

I love this man’s body, mind and spirit.

Yesterday morning at church, Anthony wrote down this message that he felt from the Lord: “God wants you to love yourselves.”

Even though I didn’t hear it at that particular moment, I’ve actually gotten that message through decluttering over the past few weeks. I know that sounds bonkers, but it’s true.

Yes, I’m aware of this verse from 2nd Timothy that warns us against being lovers of the self.

But there’s a difference between recognizing that you were made in God’s image and that God wants you to love yourself because he loves you and being a jerk. I think loving yourself in a healthy way means honoring the fact that you were created by the Master Craftsman of the universe.

So many times I have sat through sermons in which the message I have received is that I better make sure I know what a sinner I am, and that if I don’t feel that way it means I’m even more sinful than other people. The basis of so many life groups and bible studies that I have done over the years can basically be boiled down to this: it’s human nature to believe that we deserve good things when all we really deserve is death.

Does that have its place? Maybe. I don’t know what other people are experiencing from the same sermon.

But if I’m honest, I’ve never benefited from that message from a sermon. I’ve always benefitted from it when God has shown it to me himself. God is the master of loving correction. Humans…. not so much. I sometimes suspect there’s some weird motive lurking behind a lot of “correction.” (Most often, feel like they’re working out their own issues with God instead of being led by the spirit to preach).

What does this have to do with decluttering?

These days, the more junk that I get rid of, the more aware I am of the Lord’s presence. So many times as I clear out a space I feel of visceral understanding of the fact that Jesus’s yoke is easy and burden is light. (And yes, I understand that that verse is referring to the Pharisees and everything. Maybe this is a rhema word, I’m not sure).

The more junk that I get rid of, the more space for there is to really believe that Jesus has made me valuable. That He loves me and wants me to love myself because it makes me better at loving Him. This love is healing, not self-aggrandizing.

This freedom is like I’m breathing in blue skies and fresh air.

Ok, that’s all for today, tender friends! Thank you to the new friends who have signed up for updates, and thank you for stopping by. Have a great day!

Thank you for sharing!

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