Immanuel

I love our MAP (moms with a purpose) group. (Or as my husband calls us, the black shirt mafia.)

The last two seasons, we ended up studying the topics I had been praying about for months prior. First, after discovering the richness of the name and character of Yahweh, I prayed for more than six months, that He would bring His name to His people, specifically, leaders in the church, and ignite a love for His name. That fall, we began our 9-month study through the names of God.

Then about a year and a half ago, I read a book entitled The Cry of the Soul: What Our Emotions Reveal About Our Deepest Questions About God, by Tremper Longman III and Dan Allender. The book examined various Psalms and related them to how we can learn and wrestle with our questions about God through David’s words and struggles. The raw emotional honesty gave me a fresh perspective that transformed the way I viewed my emotional struggles. I prayed and desired to go deeper into the Psalms. Then, last fall, we (MAP) began our 9-month study into the Psalms, getting into the gritty raw emotion and growing closer to God through that.

What’s been really cool about it is I never told anyone what I was praying about. God put those topics on their hearts, as well as mine, and we journeyed together. It’s been amazing.

Well, after two seasons in a row, I felt a bit of pressure leading into this season. I was reluctant to pray about any specific topic. Didn’t want to seem prideful, or like I had some special place with God, either to ask for a topic or that He would give me the topic beforehand. So I resisted praying about one.

These last several months have pressed me. Dealing with resurfacing memories, embarking on a journey of healing, and all the stuff you can read about here in my posts, I’ve just had a deep desire to grow closer to Jesus. To experience Him in new ways. Not just know about Him, and remember those “special” times that He’s shown Himself and I’ve experienced Him. I wanted to draw closer to experience Him in the everyday. Not just when I’m at the end of my wits, or when I’m on the verge.

I want to experience Him in my work
in my relationships
in driving the kids to school
in conversation
in the everyday life.

I want to experience Immanuel. God with us. All the time.

So, yesterday was our first meeting of the season. And what are we studying this year?

Praying the Names of Jesus. Drawing closer to Him by discovering and meditating on His character, and experiencing Him in deeper ways. Next week’s name: Immanuel.

Exactly what I need. I’ve been praying for. I desire.

Exactly on time.

His love for me, 
His pursuit of me,
His answers to my cries,
just overwhelm me at times.

Who am I, that He would go to such great measures to speak to me and touch me in such tender, sweet, elaborate, and deep ways?

I am His child.
His princess.
His beloved.

What an awesome King we serve!