The Power of His Love: Learning to overcome through Love
This week’s blog is an excerpt from my book Light Bulbs and Lollypops. Living on the Bright Side of Life, in celebration of the second anniversary of its release.
An important part of our life’s journey is to posture our hearts to remain in love. At times this can be challenging, but it is possible with His help and with the help of loving friends and family. When I have been in very painful circumstances, He speaks to my heart through songs.
One of those defining moments occurred not long after the heart breaking diagnosis for my son, mentioned previously. This happened in the early stages of my Christian journey surrounded by the warmth and support of a loving faith community.
We were nearing the end of the Sunday morning service, the introductory notes to the "Power of Your Love" by Hillsong Worship, began to play. Tentatively, I started to sing the first line, but as I embraced the chorus, a powerful wave of faith and emotion swept over me. “Hold me close, let your love surround me, bring me near, draw me to your side, and as I wait I'll rise up like an eagle, and I will soar with you, your spirit leads me on, in the power of your love.”
Sobbing through the rest of the song, something happened in my heart. It was like the whole congregation was helping me as they sang so strongly, those powerful words. My heart was receiving every word as a healing balm, for the brokenness of a mother grieving for her young son. While remaining positive and filled with hope it was also a time of working through grief from shocking news. In that moment my strength returned, my spirit was uplifted and upheld. This was not a journey, I was facing alone.
In another instance of deep sadness, when a new found relationship had ended abruptly, I found myself driving, through tears, to a favourite place by the Petone foreshore. Pulling into a car park where a beaten wooden bench was drawing me, to reside upon it. Normally, the picture perfect scenery of a tranquil harbour sparkling in the sunlight, grey sand, squawking seagulls, laughter and splashing heard from paddling children; dogs trotting along with exercising owners, the salty smell on the breeze and feeling the embrace of the enveloping bush clad hills, would have been my focus and a delight to behold.
However, so deep was the pain in that moment, the only place my focus was on, was my feet, upon the sandy ground beneath. While in that seemingly defeated pose, a melody began to weave its way into my consciousness. “My Jesus, my saviour, Lord there is none like you. All of my days I want to praise, the wonders of your mighty love. My comfort, my shelter, tower of refuge and strength. Let every breath, all that I am, never cease to worship you.” As each line of the song was playing through my mind and heart, my head slowly started to lift. I became aware of not only the words of the song and the melody, but the beautiful scenery all around me, ministering to my very sore heart.
He was lifting my head, showing me all the beauty that was around me. The song ministered to my heart and mind, reminded me that this was not being faced alone, that He loves me, that my focus is on Him and He is my healer, my comforter my all.
Having sung that song about three times, I was now ready to stand up and head home feeling mostly healed, whole, uplifted in strength and ready to face the world again. He truly is our comfort, our shelter, tower of refuge and strength. That is the power of His love.
