I Am: His Beloved

By Lara Landon • Nov 23rd, 2009 • Category: Artists in Residence

In writing the past three entries about who I am, I’ve learned a lot. I know in my mind that I am fearfully and wonderfully made by a loving God, that when I ask Him into my life I become a part of the whole body of Christ, that I can now exchange my sins for His beautiful qualities which could go on for pages… but now I’m at the heart of the heart of the matter. It’s almost too much to try to put into words. I don’t want to do a disservice to the most important truth I’ve ever encountered.

Years ago I wrote a song called “Beloved” and I didn’t understand what I was saying but I wanted to. Now I’m trying to write about being God’s beloved again and I don’t understand it but I want to. I can’t tell myself or you how to believe it, it seems unbelievable, even crazy, to think that an unseen God loves me- wants to be a part of my life, wants to hold my hand through everything. It’s crazy but I know it’s true. The times I’ve been able to live as if I believed it where real, the times I’ve exchanged my faith for His on the matter, I’ve felt in the “Zone” the “Pocket” the “Sweet Spot”. I remember very specific times when I felt utterly defeated and hopeless, self-loathing,self-destructive. I cried and sobbed and asked God to be real to me and He did. He quieted me with His love and sang over me with His peace. I want to be there again. God’s love is what I need in such desperate times and it’s what I need, whether I know it or not, all the time.

Maybe the best way to feel that God loves me- that I am His and He is mine is to take Him at His word:

Song of Solomon 8:5-6

Who is this coming up from the wilderness

Leaning on her beloved?…….
(He replies to her)

Put me like a seal over your heart,
 Like a seal on your arm 

For love is as strong as death,
 Jealousy is as severe as hell;

Its flashes are flashes of fire,
 The very flame of the LORD.”

Psalm 60:4-6
“Let the Beloved of the LORD rest secure in him, 

for he shields (her) all day long, 

and the one the LORD loves rests between (her) shoulders.”

Song of Solomon 2:9-11
“My Beloved responded and said to me,

Arise, my darling, my beautiful one,

And come along. 
For behold, the winter is past,

The rain is over and gone.

I think knowing just how loved we are is the secret really living life. The measure of our faith is not how much we can do or how we compare to others, it’s simply how much love we will really accept from God. It’s hard, but it’s worth it to work it out, figure out how we can get all the stuff out of the way and just be, like John, “The one Jesus loved”.

BELOVED- LYRICS (Landon/Ingram)

when no one wants to know you
wants to claim you
or look deep in your eyes
when those you love turn away
hurt you so bad you can’t stand to fight

well I know that darkest hour
that’s where I found true love
Jesus lifted me from the dead of night
and He’ll never give me up

I’m his beloved and He’s mine
nothing can separate- no space- no time
no death- no life- no person-no power
so strong is the love of my heavenly father
I’m His beloved

there are days when I look away
for a moment I stray
but He’s always there waiting
there are times I look in His eyes
with tears filling mine
and He reaches to hold me

through the constant pounding on my door
from this age and it’s deceit
I will cry to God from my heart of hearts
He is all the strength I need

I’m his beloved and He’s mine
nothing can separate- no space- no time
no death- no life- no person-no power
so strong is the love of my heavenly father
I’m His beloved

Well I can’t make sense of it
but it’s my security
nothing can separate the love
the love He has for me

I’m his beloved and He’s mine
nothing can separate- no space- no time
no death- no life- no person-no power
so strong is the love of my heavenly father
I’m His beloved

Tagged as: Lara Landon

↓ 2 comments

#1 trina on November 24th, 2009 at 3:28 am

I feel strongly that your words of encouragement are meant directly for me. They peirce my heart. I feel strongly that you truly know Him in a special way and it helps us all when you write about it. Thanks so much.
Trina

#2 Mariah Secrest on November 24th, 2009 at 2:51 pm

Lara,

I missed you when you came through Tucson (I love the friendly folks at GJ’s!). But I got hold of your album pre-release and was definitely playing some songs on repeat as I got through a rocky time myself! Just wanted to say hi! Lovely voice.

Mariah

Does it Resonate with you?

Name (required)

Email (will not be published) (required)

URL