“Self-rejection is the greatest enemy of the spiritual life because it contradicts the sacred voice that calls us the ‘Beloved.’”
Henri Nouwen
Last year, I was on a quest to understand better what it meant to be God’s beloved. Deep down within the center of my being, I wanted to know how loved I was by God. I knew that if I truly believed that I was His beloved, it would make a huge difference in my life and have a wonderful ripple effect on my relationships with others. It did, and it has.
Understanding my belovedness became the foundation for feeling secure and protected by God. Knowing I’m God’s beloved daughter more firmly secured my attachment to God. I knew my acceptance was based on what Jesus did, not because of any performance or obedience from me. Knowing I am unconditionally loved meant I couldn’t do anything to earn His love, and it was permanent, not something I could lose. God’s love for me and His presence aren’t going anywhere, and contrary to the enemy’s lies and accusations, I can be secure in it. Believing these truths grounded and tethered me closer to God, which freed me to be my true self.
Fast-forward to the start of 2025. I’m asking God to work the attribute of humility deeper into my makeup. It’s scary to make that request, knowing that the incubators of humility are usually not fun to experience. They’re uncomfortable because being humble means our pride needs to die. Yet, dead people are the freest people.
In retrospect, I see God’s wisdom in placing within me the desire to understand my belovedness before asking to grow in humility. It is much harder to choose humility if I’m still wondering whether or not I’m loved and accepted. A secure attachment to God makes it easier to seek to be humble. When we know nothing “will be able to separate us from the love of God” (Romans 8:39), we can risk letting go of our pride, believing God still has us and will never leave us.
I can courageously ask God to make me more humble like His Son, Jesus because I know I am His beloved. Belovedness is the springboard from which humility springs, and humility is the secret sauce in thriving relationships.
“Being the Beloved expresses the core truth of our existence.”
Henri Nouwen
Relevant Reflection:
How has knowing God loves you unconditionally affected your life?
Comments