Dericka Canada Cunningham, GBW Founder
August 29, 2022
This Week's Anchor
“Your love, Lord, reaches to the heavens, your faithfulness to the skies.”
Psalm 36:5 (NIV)
I was recently reminded by a fellow sister in Christ of an old church hymn that we often sang growing up in my home church in Kentucky. Shared via social media, this poster expressed having the words “it was your love that lifted me” consistently echoing in her mind. In reading this post, I recalled the hymn, “Love Lifted Me”, and a specific verse began to resonate: “when nothing else could help, love lifted me.” Tears streamed down my face as I quietly sang the song. I’m convinced that God can use anything to inspire us because I wasn’t sure how one simple social media post seemed to have such an emotional impact on me that day. Nevertheless, I was thankful. Grateful to my sister in Christ for reminding me of a precious time in my life along with this meaningful hymn that had been passed down many generations. And, thankful to God for His love and for allowing me to see, notice and recall His Word.
Our anchor scripture this week is a simple verse, and yet it illustrates the vast nature of God’s love. Not only does His love reach beyond our universe, and not only has His love lifted us, but it consistently lifts us and will continue to lift us while we travel on this journey called life. In the verses following our anchor scripture, we witness David (the writer of this passage/song) declare that God’s love is priceless and unfailing (v.7) and remind us that with God “is the fountain of life; in your light, we see light” (v.9). Aren’t you grateful for the power of God’s love to reach deep within our lives and lift us in times when we need it most and are not able to lift ourselves (or even be lifted by others)?
Take a moment to embrace the many ways God’s love lifts us amid the many seasons of our lives. While each of us has our unique ways of experiencing God’s love, here are a few ways that God’s love might lift us (based on my own experiences):
Being present with us—Those moments when we just feel God with us, reminding us that we are not alone even when we feel lonely.
Affirming His Word and promises—Bringing his Word alive and spiritually connecting the dots between what we receive from the Word and experience in our everyday lives.
Grounding us in purpose and life meaning—Helping us to see and feel our purpose in everything we experience and everyone we encounter in our lives.
Giving us peace, comfort, and encouragement—Enabling us to experience calm, feel empowered, and have the ability to move through tough emotions.
Granting us moments of laughter and joy—Even if fleeting, making the playful and fun moments matter and helping us to receive joy deeply and sincerely in our lives.
Showing His grace and mercy—Because we aren’t perfect. God loves us through our imperfections and mistakes.
Sparking our imagination and creativity—Those moments when we are internally inspired and motivated by a new idea, and when we get to tap into our curiosity and innovation.
Blessing us with our heart’s desires/requests—When God does the thing we’ve been praying for (and/or removes the thing we’ve been praying against); Being able to experience God’s abundance and blessings.
Sustaining us through difficult times—When despite all the odds, we somehow have the will to carry on; giving us hope for a better and brighter future.
Convicting and challenging us—When God compassionately provides us with Divine redirection, and we know deep in our souls that it is exactly what we need.
Reminding us that we are in community—Getting that random text or call from a friend, an unexpected message from an old acquaintance, encouragement from a family member, an affirming conversation with a co-worker, or inspiration from a book, show, or movie (or a social media post).
As we enter yet another week on this blue and green globe that we’ve been gifted to inhabit, may the hymns that our ancestors sang remind us. May the community we have with others inspire us. And like wind beneath wings, may the love of God lift us.
Reflection
What is resonating for you about this scripture and/or this devotion?
How has/does God’s love lift you? What do you need from the Holy Trinity to lift you this week?
What intention(s) do you want to set to connect and/or reconnect with being grounded this week?
Related Scriptures to Ground You Through this Week
Deuteronomy 7:9
Psalm 3; Psalm 136
Isaiah 54:10
Lamentations 3:22-33
Romans 8:37-39
Ephesians 3:14-20
My Through-the-Week Reflection Guide
A Song of Inspiration
Quote of Love & Liberation
“Something that is loved is never lost.”
Toni Morrison
Comentários