For many years I knew about God’s love but it was just knowledge because I did not know His word well... so was not growing and maturing consistently. He was there all along but His love for me did not register because it had not become a revelation in my heart. I searched to find my identity, to be accepted and loved, in other things: relationships, clothing/material things, people pleasing and busyness. It wasn’t until I lost everything that I began to seriously seek Him in His Word. I asked Him for truth.
As I took steps of faith: Bible study, reached out to others, prayed and asked the Holy Spirit to teach me, started speaking His word out loud and declaring it over my life, my family, I began to experience the presence of the Holy Spirit, the Word, the person of Jesus Christ. He is beautiful and very much alive. His gentleness, kindness, comfort and love during some very dark days touched my heart in a very real way, a revelatory way. He loves each of us more than we can comprehend. This is Embracing the Word.
And the Word became flesh, and dwelt among us. (James 1:14)
Draw near to God and He will draw near to you. (James 4:8)
Your Word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path. (Psalm 119:105)
You make known to me the path of life; in Your presence there is fullness of joy; at Your right hand are pleasures forevermore. (Psalm 16:11)
“As the Father loved Me, I also have loved you; abide in My love. If you keep My commandments, you will abide in My love, just as I have kept My Father’s commandments and abide in His love.
“These things I have spoken to you, that My joy may remain in you, and that your joy may be full. This is My commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you. Greater love has no one than this, than to lay down one’s life for his friends. You are My friends if you do whatever I command you. No longer do I call you servants, for a servant does not know what his master is doing; but I have called you friends, for all things that I heard from My Father I have made known to you. (John 15: 9-17)
Embracing the Word
2021
Collage on Wood Panel
18 in X 24 in
Wow Toni, so beautiful, the emotion in this piece.