Beloved - Part 1 by Natalie McGehee

Beloved (Part One)

I love words.  I love how they look on a page, the history of a word, and the way words can communicate, inspire and illuminate.  Beloved is a word that at first seems a bit old fashioned, and always makes me think of an old timey preacher doing a wedding ceremony, “Dearly beeelov-ED, we are gathered . . “  :)

But if we really look into the word BELOVED, the meaning is so dear and speaks clearly to the heart of who the Lord God says we are in Christ Jesus as a beloved child of God.

Adjective – meaning darling, dear, precious, adored, much loved, cherished, treasured, prized, admired, dear to the heart, favorite, cherished, valued

and the Holy Spirit descended on Him in a physical appearance like a dove. And a voice came from heaven:  You are My beloved Son. I take delight in You!  Luke 3:22 HCSB

Noun – a much loved person, a person greatly loved, sweetheart, love, dearest, loved one, true love

As He also says in Hosea:  I will call Not My People, My People, and she who is Unloved, Beloved.  Romans 9:25 HCSB

I will call she who is Unloved – Beloved

Beloved, He has the power to give you a new name. He calls you beloved, chosen, daughter, friend.  This is your identity in Christ Jesus.

But to all who did receive Him, He gave them the right to be children of God, to those who believe in His name.  John 1:12 HCSB

The desire of our hearts is to be fully known, fully accepted, and fully loved without fear of shame or rejection.  Living into the identity of who the Lord already says we are is where we find joy, peace and purpose. Circumstances can be painful, awful, overwhelming, difficult, frustrating, scary and even just everyday mundane.  Joy, peace and purpose are not driven by circumstances and cannot be found, derived or achieved from your current situation.  BUT they can be found in the Lord.  Delight in Him!

Yes, you are a single mom.  That is your current circumstance. That is not your identity.

 “This is a very special and precious love. This is what you should feed on daily. This is sweet and this is strong. To know that you are loved in this way is the very heart of Christian assurance. That God has called me, that He has shone in my heart to give the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, that He will work omnipotently to keep me, and bring me to everlasting glory – this is what it means to be "the beloved of God.""  John Piper