In the depths of life’s mess, the dark and sleepless nights and in the midst of heartbreak and grief.. where is God?
This question many of us face as we endeavour to make our way along the narrow road of our Faith journey is not an indication of weak faith or doubt but rather a desire to know intimately and deeply the heart of the Father and His character. As I have grappled with these and other questions there has been a resounding confirmation from the Lord, through the Word and through my lived experience of His peace beyond understanding, of His infinite goodness and kindness, His power and His understanding far beyond what I could ever know.
These songs to me where the responses of God to these and many other wonderings and questions. Written as letters from Him, addressed to us in whatever stage or season we find ourselves in. In each song, there are promises and reminders from a loving Father who understands our pain, has experienced our grief and is close throughout every hour and moment of our lives from even before our existence began.
I’m close… As I wrote this song the intention was not trying to believe that we wouldn’t have difficulty or times where we fall but rather that He is present and near in those moments. He promised to be close, every second, hour, day picking us up from every trip, slip, fall and low place, bringing us back to health and healing by His power. Trusting this closeness allows us to manover the fiery trials and still hear His sweet, gentle whisper and believe the truth about Him and His character.
Whilst writing the song God was giving me new revelation that all mankind was made for relationship with Him, we were designed to be fulfilled by Jesus alone. There are multitudes of people in the world desperate and searching for answers and meaning in many places that can bring no true peace. The culture of the world is saturated with gods in many forms; money, self satisfaction, achievements, health, fame, acceptance and many more, all which fall painfully short of bringing true, deep, long-term fulfilment and comfort. Our close, real and merciful God is the only answer to the brokenness all around us. In the lyrics of the bridge, the Father reminds us that He is the only safe fortress, the stillness and peace that nothing in the world could provide.
I’ll carry you… Inspired by the passages of Joshua chapter 1 where God urges Joshua time and time again to be strong and courageous, to trust Him with the biggest and seemingly most impossible task laid before him. A reminder to lift up our eyes and fix them upon Jesus through all things, especially when things seem beyond our ability and too impossible to achieve. We know that no matter where we go, what we attempt, who we meet, or what we encounter God will go with us, before us, sheltering and carrying us through all things.
Rest on you… My favourite track for many reasons. This song was written based on a vision God had shown me for a friend who was going through an incredibly hard time: we were standing by the ocean and there were wild, huge waves crashing on the shore and towering above us looking as if they were about to crash right on top of us, but then God gave me His perspective and showed me that in fact the waves were but little ripples lapping at our feet. It reminds me of the story about Jesus calming the oceans with a word, knowing that the same power with which he did this is now at work and living inside me. This song is the promise of rest, He will rest on us and we can rest on Him.
Treasured Territory… Written as a poem for me by a dear friend, we later added melody to this beautiful expression of the Fathers affection for us using the imagery of the garden, the ground and the seasons that affect how we grow. To me its a reminder that He is proud of us, He see’s all that we go through and He is filled with joy when we endure hardships whilst maintaining a soft and trusting heart towards Him. A call to allow His work within us and not grow sour when things cause pain but rather, allow the precious blood of Jesus to soak us entirely. He delights in calling us His very own, His treasured territory.
I simply love you… This sweet ballad concludes the EP with a timely and gentle reminder of the simplicity of relationship with Jesus. He loves us. Within all our questions, confusion, decisions, worries and doubts He is calling us back to remembering one simple and profoundly comforting truth, He simply loves us. As we are, nothing added, nothing changed. He has known and loved us from the beginning of time, formed us intentionally from the moment of our conception and will continue to love and hold us for the rest of eternity. What a kind Father.
As you listen to this collection of songs, these Love Letters from the Lord, I pray that you experience His presence in your heart, your home and your mind. Sit back, soak in the promises that each song holds and experience His deep peace and rest.
– Joshua 1:7-9
– Psalm 145:13-16
– Phillipians 4:4-7
– Matthew 11:28-30
– Isaiah 11:10-4
– Romans 8:38-39
By Anna Victoria