I have been a huge fan of Bethel music for awhile now. So whenever I discovered a member of Bethel, Amanda Cook, was making a solo album, I was extremely excited, especially because 'You Make Me Brave' is my jam song and it's beautifully written and sung. So far, 'Pieces' is my favorite song on Amanda's album A Brave New World. I'm sharing something Amanda wrote about this song on her blog, because it perfectly describes why she wrote such a beautiful song.
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"These thoughts are of a different kind of love, a complete and sure thing, a certain thing. One that defines and refines me. One that is at rest and peace. One that never has to prove it’s power because it simply IS. One that doesn’t have to overcompensate or shrink back due to insecurity, because it is completely secure in itself. In its fullness I am found. In its assurance I rest my case.
This love is God Himself, and God is Love incarnate. He is one and the same, and His will, His desire, is that all would come to understand that He, Love Himself, has always been for us. He has always been on our side. And the more we study the bravery of His Son, in laying down His life for us, the more we discover that He is not holding his heart at arms length, like a tease, enough for us to see but not close enough to know. Rather, He has invited us completely in…to be surrounded and supported by the breath of love itself.
We exist because of Love, and in its will we have our being."
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I could cry every time I read that. Our worlds definition of love is so corrupt these days. It makes me sick having to witness so many heartbreaks. The world tries to teach us what love is, and how to love--but it's the complete opposite of what love is all about. God IS love, and because He loves us, we're given the power to not only love others, but to love ourselves.
I've had a few heartbreaks in my life, and even though I learned from them and became better, they still hurt. I'm realizing that a boyfriend can't complete me, because a boyfriend can't love me the way God loves me. Earthly love is flawed, Heavenly love is perfect. I have to remind myself constantly that I'm perfectly whole without a significant other, because God is all I need, especially during this season in my life. God is relentlessly pursuing my heart, and I'm well-aware of it.
I spent last night feeling kind of sad about some stuff. I felt lonely, and I missed the feeling of having someone. Instead of fueling that gloom and thinking about how miserable I felt, I immediately turned on worship music and sang along until the feeling left me. It was like the Holy Spirit came in and replaced my feelings with His love. And that, that is what I've come to love about God.
This morning I've listened to Pieces on repeat. I can't get its lyrics out of my head. I highly encourage anyone who reads this to go and listen to the song. It is so powerful. It describes the beauty of God's love, and you can feel His presence so strongly while listening to it. I'm in awe of Amanda for writing such a moving song. Listen to it, listen to the lyrics, and discover what love truly is.
"Your love's not fractured, it's not a troubled mind. It isn't anxious, it's not the restless kind. Your love's not passive, it's never disengaged, it's always present, it hangs on every word we say. Love keeps its promises, it keep its word, it honors what's sacred, cause its vows are good. Your love's not broken, it's not insecure, Your love's not selfish, Your love is pure. You don't give Your heart in pieces, You don't hide Yourself to tease us."
