The Disciple that Jesus Loved

God wants me to be humble. But God also wants me to know that he, THE GOD OF THE UNIVERSE, WHO CREATED IT ALL, AND WILL END IT ALL loves me, personally and intimately. Sometimes those two ideas don't mesh very well in my head. This weekend I was at a Women's retreat. The theme was "Rooted in Love" and I wanted to share something with you that really stood out to me.

John was "the disciple that Jesus loved." When our speaker first said that, I got really uncomfortable. Jesus loved ALL his disciples. I SQUIRMED in my seat a little. Then our speaker went on to say that this was a self given nickname. WHAT. My brain automatically starts going insane! How prideful of John! I can't believe it! My gut reaction was one of great discomfort.

But I had the realization that it was true. John was the disciple that Jesus loved. So was Peter, so was Philip, so were the James-es. Jesus loved all his disciples, and it wasn't an act of pride that led John to call himself "the disciple that Jesus loved," it was the fact that he FELT it, he felt an undeniable, and powerful love, and could not deny it. I was so stunned by this idea. Kira is the disciple that Jesus loved. So is Lauren, and Allie, and Katy... so are we all. And we have every right to proclaim it! it isn't an act of pride, it is the truth, it is BEAUTIFUL! Claiming this love isn't prideful, because this love has nothing to do with how cool we are, or the things we do for the sake of the kingdom. It has to do with the nature of our creator.

I want to claim this love! I am LOVED BY THE CREATOR. It is great and beautiful and breathtaking! I am the Disciple that Jesus loved, that Jesus died for, whose feet were washed by the Lord of the Heavens and the Earth!

A few months ago one of the senior women at my church died. Irene Rathe was a HUGE part of our church community, and it was very sad to see her go. But the words she left the church with were quickly scribbled down in my journal as my Pastor said them: "The real world is coming, this life is just a shadow." I pray that we would remember that as we humbly proclaim the ginormous love of God to everyone we come in contact with.