Upside down love

 

Some time ago my girls spent the weekend with their Oma on the mainland. This meant that I got to spend a lot of uninterrupted time with Levi. One morning I was smothering him with kisses when I found myself saying "you are SO worthy of love". Immediately I sensed the Lord gently reminding me that everyone is worthy of love, not because of who they are or what they have done, but because He created them. I often find myself baffled by this. I find myself asking, "how can you love people who are hell bent on destroying other people's lives"? How?  Why are you so merciful to them? Why do you let them continue on their destructive path? 

 

Why? Because His love is upside down.

 

It is merciful. It is not based on emotion or works. It is not circumstantial or needy. It does not require reciprocation. It defies reason. It is abounding. It is perfect. It is relentless. It is baffling.

 

He is not an errant parent who is unaware of his child's actions. He is acutely aware, but extends His mercy and love nevertheless.

 

It is an upside down love and the most beautiful kind of love we can ever know.

 

A friend of mine recently shared a beautiful sermon on God's mercy. Afterwards, she had the lights turned off and played this beautiful, song called "Mercy" by Amanda Cook from the album Brave New World . Ever since she told me the name of the artist I have been playing her album on repeat. Here are two songs that have been  making my heart soar.

"Mercy"

  My past embraced
My sin forgiven
I'm blameless in Your sight
My history rewritten

You delight in mercy
Mercy triumphs over judgment

Oh Love, great Love
Fear cannot be found in You
There will never be a day
You're uncertain of the ones You choose

You delight in mercy
Mercy triumphs over judgment

So I will wake
And spend days
Loving the One
Who raised me up
From death to life
From wrong to right
You're making all things beautiful

You delight in mercy
Mercy triumphs over judgment

"Pieces"

Unreserved, unrestrained
Your love is wild
Your love is wild for me
It isn't shy, it's unashamed
Your love is proud
To be seen with me

You don't give Your heart in pieces
You don't hide Yourself to tease us

Uncontrolled, uncontained
Your love is a fire
Burning bright for me
It's not just a spark
It's not just a flame
Your love is a light
That all the world will see
All the world will see

You don't give Your heart in pieces
You don't hide Yourself to tease us

Your love's not fractured
It's not a troubled mind
It isn't anxious
It's not the restless kind
Your love's not passive
It's never disengaged
It's always present
It hangs on every word we say
Love keeps its promises
It keep its word
It honors what's sacred
'Cause its vows are good
Your love's not broken
It's not insecure
Your love's not selfish
Your love is pure

You don't give Your heart in pieces
You don't hide Yourself to tease us