If you found your way here through my devotion“Up Close and Personal”, featured today through Proverbs 31 Ministries and Crosswalk, I’m glad you stopped by. My blog is where I share the journey of my heart. I hope you’ll stay a while, and come back any time you just need a place to connect your heart to God and other women in your journey.
As I mentioned in my devotion, that day as I scraped paint, I had lots of time to think. I thought about how much I can be like my house and how far God has brought me.I thought about the years I worked so hard to live my life in such a way that from a distance, everything about me looked “fine.”
Yet on the inside I was struggling with things I didn’t want anyone to see…shame from my past, fears of my future, insecurities that paralyzed my heart. Living up to others expectations and losing my identity with each dreaded attempt to keep others at a distance. Dark shadows of doubt surrounded my heart, and the darkness of depression threatened to swallow me whole.
I wanted to be known and to be loved for who I was. I wanted someone to see past the exterior façade and look into the secret places of my heart. Yet, I feared if others knew me they could never love me. So, I buried myself in non-stop activity. I did everything I could do to keep me from having to process my pain. Then to make sure no one got too close, I pulled away from relationships with those who knew me best and loved me most. I created what I feared: I was alone.
By the time I was 22, I was exhausted. I couldn’t pretend anymore. I ran out of paint. The columns of my life started crumble. The sills around the windows of my heart began to rot. I needed help but I’d pushed everyone away. The only one who I could talk to was God so I cried out for Him to takeover my life.
Over time He revealed Himself to me – through sermons at a nearby church I’d visit, through books I read, but more than anything through His Word. I read stories that echoed the struggles and desires of my heart. I read words that gave me hope; that told me that I was not alone. Words that led me to a Savior who wanted an up close and personal relationship with me. A relationship where even with my flaws and failures I felt accepted.A relationship where I could be known and loved!
It’s what He came to offer each of us. He came up close because He wanted to know us personally. John 3:16 says that God loved us so much that He sent His Son into the world so that we could know Him and believe in Him. Verse 17 explains that God sent Jesus to save us, not to condemn us. So, no matter where we’ve been or where we’re headed, He meets us right where we are.
I want to encourage you to read a story that reveals the depth of God’s desire to have an up close and personal relationship with you. It’s about a women at a well who met Jesus while she was running errands – and running from others (4:7-30, 39-42). Even if you’ve read it before, I hope you’ll read it again in light of today’s devotion.
Beginning this weekend, and through next week, I’m doing a mini on-line study, where I’ll share something each day that I’ve learned from this story. I’ll have questions and things we can ponder together as we uncover some treasures of truth hidden in this up close and personal conversation between Jesus and a woman just like you and me. It’s my favorite story because with and without words, Jesus says, “I came all this way, just to be close to you!”
I’ll be giving away a CD on Monday.that includes my personal testimony woven in with a teaching on the woman at the well, called Searching for Satisfaction. To enter the drawing, leave your email or share your thoughts.
- Are there things that keep you from letting others and even God get close to you?
- What does it evoke in your heart when you hear that Jesus wants an up close and personal relationship with you?
To enter the drawing or to simply share your thoughts or questions, click “comments” below. Be sure to leave your email so I can contact you if you win.
Discover more from Renee Swope
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.
No they didn’t “forget” to put in a severability clause…..The drafters had one in and took it out in a later revision. They thought it would strengthen their argument to uphold the whole bill, in that the mandate is essential to the whole HC scheme. That decision backfired big time.
I reckon this poll is too big a swing to be an outlier.That doesn’t really make sense, Elise. By definition, an outlier is an unusually large deviation from earlier results. Whether this result is an outlier or not will depend whether the results are reflected in future polling, or whether subsequent polls are closer to previous results.
Not sure my first comment went up so here it is again….LOVE the Rose in TEAL and the Betsy in MUSTARD! Thank you for bringing such an awesome company to the forefront!!!
I have a website that has been up and running for some time now, and for numerous reasons I want to replace it with a WordPress site.So, how do I start building the WordPress site – in a seperate folder from the public_html” folder? Then when you are ready to move it into the public_html folder, do you have to correct whatever file-paths and link errors?
I really enjoy the bible study on your blog. The woman at the well story is so relevant for today. Sin is so rampant, in our faces, all the time. It is hard to stand and not fall into temptations. That is why I like to study His word each day and I thank God for ministries like yours and Proverbs 31. God Bless.
Lynette
[email protected]
Im a mom and im single. I have been looking for satisfaction wherever I can receive it. All it did was getting me further away from Gods plans. It hurts so much not to get what I want and when people do not love me the way I want them to. Im learning to rely on God. I have my focus days and then……. My heart is grateful for the sacrfice that was done for me. I want to take Gods relationship with me up close and personal and not be afraid to let others in. Espeacially my daughters. Thank you for sharing about your revelation and I look forward for more challenges. I didn’t think There were any one struggling like me. I knew, but I didnt know we can gain strength from each other. There’s a book called Sacred Heart and there is a song that was inspired from that book. I forgot the author and the singer, but I heard the song. Its heart changing verse by verse. Thankyou for allowing God to inspire you.
I really enjoy the bible study on your blog. The woman at the well story is so relevant for today. Sin is so rampant, in our faces, all the time. It is hard to stand and not fall into temptations. That is why I like to study His word each day and I thank God for ministries like yours and Proverbs 31. God Bless.
Lynette
[email protected]
Im a mom and im single. I have been looking for satisfaction wherever I can receive it. All it did was getting me further away from Gods plans. It hurts so much not to get what I want and when people do not love me the way I want them to. Im learning to rely on God. I have my focus days and then……. My heart is grateful for the sacrfice that was done for me. I want to take Gods relationship with me up close and personal and not be afraid to let others in. Espeacially my daughters. Thank you for sharing about your revelation and I look forward for more challenges. I didn’t think There were any one struggling like me. I knew, but I didnt know we can gain strength from each other. There’s a book called Sacred Heart and there is a song that was inspired from that book. I forgot the author and the singer, but I heard the song. Its heart changing verse by verse. Thankyou for allowing God to inspire you.
Renee,
What you said a few weeks ago has stuck with me. I think everyone in the world should hear it. “Don’t compare your insides with someone else’s outsides.” This saying has really spoke to me. The lady at the well was shamed by the other women that she made a point to go out to the well at the hottest part of the day, due to women judging her. Sam was being compared to them and being shamed for things the other women may have done too. Who knows?? In life now, there have been times where I have avoided situations, thinking others are seeing me different than what I really am. It is so refreshing and reassuring that God sees our hearts and forgives us unconditionally, no matter the sin. I have sinned, fallen short, been a “Sam” in some ways and have regrets that break my heart everyday. When I give God my heart, my time and read His word, I realize that I am a loved woman by God. He takes me as I am insides and outsides.
I really enjoy reading your blogs. I am touched everyday and believe God is speaking to me through you. It’s changing my life. I would really love to know your personal story.
Take Care,
Tennille
Oklahoma City, Oklahoma
[email protected]
Thanks, Renee. I just found your blog and enjoyed your writing very much. I’m looking forward to your mini on-line study.
Blessings!
Nikki
My email is [email protected] in case I win the prize!
Renee,
What you said a few weeks ago has stuck with me. I think everyone in the world should hear it. “Don’t compare your insides with someone else’s outsides.” This saying has really spoke to me. The lady at the well was shamed by the other women that she made a point to go out to the well at the hottest part of the day, due to women judging her. Sam was being compared to them and being shamed for things the other women may have done too. Who knows?? In life now, there have been times where I have avoided situations, thinking others are seeing me different than what I really am. It is so refreshing and reassuring that God sees our hearts and forgives us unconditionally, no matter the sin. I have sinned, fallen short, been a “Sam” in some ways and have regrets that break my heart everyday. When I give God my heart, my time and read His word, I realize that I am a loved woman by God. He takes me as I am insides and outsides.
I really enjoy reading your blogs. I am touched everyday and believe God is speaking to me through you. It’s changing my life. I would really love to know your personal story.
Take Care,
Tennille
Oklahoma City, Oklahoma
[email protected]
Thanks, Renee. I just found your blog and enjoyed your writing very much. I’m looking forward to your mini on-line study.
Blessings!
Nikki
My email is [email protected] in case I win the prize!
Sometimes we need to slow down and just do some sanding. I agree with your post and look forward to the upcoming study on the women at the well.
Sometimes I just find myself not having much time and energy left over to invest in developing close relationships with people … and with the Lord. Reminds me that I need to be diligent in asking God to daily guide my priorities and let HIM unfold my day, so that what matters most happens.
Sometimes we need to slow down and just do some sanding. I agree with your post and look forward to the upcoming study on the women at the well.