Your love is strong

The lyrics to this Jon Foreman song are so simple. Chances are, you have heard most of them before from Scripture or other prayers. This song has just captivated me the past week or so, and I continue to listen and claim it as my prayer daily.

Here is the youtube video, but I promise that this would be worth buying on iTunes:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=301S7NgAkLs

I love it here, but the lessons the Lord is trying to teach me are not leaving me unscathed, thankfully. My thinking is being transformed, my spirit is being renewed, and my soul is being refreshed seeing his new mercies daily. It is so easy for me to lose sight of what brought me here - the affirmation leading me to come here, and the reassurance while I have been here that I am in the right place - and I hate that I can not hang out to those reassuring thoughts longer. Then again, if I was fully able to sustain those thoughts on my own, what would I have to run to my Lord for? It does bring me to my knees most mornings when I realize that only by His grace do I breathe and truly live. Some days my heart just hurts. I miss my family, I miss my friends, I miss what I know, what I have been comfortable with my whole life. But again, we are not called to be comfortable all of the time. Deep down, I am beginning to realize my purposes here, but it is just a battle with my flesh most days to get that "deep down" and believe it.

I mean, how can victory be distinguised if not preceeded with failure? How will we know what the top of a mountain feels like if we haven't known the depths of a valley? My dad tells me that there is a difference between "being alone" and "being lonely". They are not the same thing. Everyone should "be alone" at times he says. There are days when I am definitely alone. And that is good for me. I realize that while I do have support and love at home, and even the love of friends here, I am alone. I will say it again, that is good. I am confronted with issues to deal with, things to meditate on, challenges to face, and situations at home I just can't "fix" and must trust the Lord to handle in His sovereignty.

The phrase "Your love is strong" from the song by Jon Foreman is repeated to myself at least 25 times a day. I endlessly claim that His love is strong enough for me. Strong enough for me to fight for joy. Strong enough to hold me when I hurt. Strong enough for me to share His love with others when I just don't have the words. Strong enough to fight the lies and weariness of my flesh. Strong enough to trust that He will provide what I need. It is such a simple phrase, but gives me such affirmation and strength when I make myself say those words.

God knows what I need
He knows what I need.

Your love is, Your love is, Your love is strong.
Your love is, Your love is, Your love is strong.
Your love is, Your love is, Your love is strong.

The kingdom of the heavens
Is now advancing
Invade my heart
Invade this broken town

The kingdom of the heavens
Is buried treasure
Will you sell yourself
To buy the one you've found?

Two things you told me
That you are strong
And you love me
Yes, you love me

Your love is, Your love is, Your love is strong.
Your love is, Your love is, Your love is strong.
Your love is, Your love is, Your love is strong.