Showing up Loved
an unconventional practice for receiving God's love and sharing it with others....
Last month was all about connection and relationships here at spacemaking. As I worked through the listening questions with God, I felt an invitation towards deepening the relationships I already have BUT ALSO I felt some resistance toward taking that step.
Even though I know that deepening relationships requires knowing another and being known, I have some fear and insecurity around vulnerability. Both in making others uncomfortable by asking them to be vulnerable and in being vulnerable myself, because will they still love me if they truly know me?
As I processed this, God reminded me to show up loved. I shared about this last week, so go back and read it if you haven’t yet or this practice will make no sense.
Go ahead and read it. I’ll wait.
Okay, now that we’re on the same page.
When you find yourself feeling insecure in relationships, work, new situations, conflict, WHATEVER, try these steps:
Imagine God’s love as the ocean. The big, deep, endless ocean. Blue and sparkling and mysterious.
Now picture yourself with God in the ocean. Ask God to give you a picture of yourself with God in the ocean of His love. When an image comes to mind, rest in it. Spend time here in God’s presence. Let yourself be soaked by loved.
Now imagine yourself stepping out of the ocean, completely drenched and covered by His love for you.
You might craft a breath prayer to keep this image and feeling at the forefront of your mind as you enter in to whatever is coming. Try something like: (breathe in)I have nothing to prove, (breathe out) I’m already loved.
As you enter in to whatever brought up those feelings of insecurity, show up loved. Keep that image of you, dripping with love, in your mind.
Imagine yourself shaking that love off on others. Let that imaginative act lead to actual moments of care and love for others.
Some quick links:
Get the Good Question guide here.
If you are interested in spiritual direction you can check out some FAQ here.
If you’re ready to schedule a meeting, you can do so here. (Remember, first sessions are free for subscribers of spacemaking!)
If you’re interested in retreats, you can get more info here.
And may you encounter the God who loves you as you make space in your schedule and your soul!