The Love of God: To Infinity and Beyond

One of my favourite passages in the Bible that describes the love of God is in the book of Ephesians, chapter three, verses sixteen through twenty. It talks about the power of experiencing God’s love and concludes with  God is “able to carry out His purpose and do superabundantly more than all that we dare ask or think [infinitely beyond our greatest prayers, hopes, or dreams], according to His power that is at work within us.” There is a vast difference between knowing God loves you, and experiencing it. Recently I experienced God’s love in my life in a very tangible, extravagant way.

The Door-Opener

In 2019, God opened a door for me that was way beyond my wildest dreams. I was one of twelve people accepted into a songwriting course at Brian Doerksen’s house. For those of you who don’t know – that’s a very big deal! Brian’s worship songs have been formational in my spiritual journey, and have profoundly impacted my life. Because of his music, I was able to connect with God in a deeper, more intimate way. But I never imagined meeting Brian, let alone being in his house! There is no doubt in my mind that God opened that door for me. This began a series of events that led to my single release in April 2021, something which I never thought possible.

With God there is No Ceiling

As if those two events weren’t enough, a few weeks ago I found out Brian Doerksen and his band were coming out to my local city for a live concert. I was very excited to see Brian perform in person for the first time. Since I hadn’t seen him since 2019, I hoped to have a visit after the concert. But when I asked Brian if I could say a quick ‘hello’ after the concert, his response was beyond anything I could have imagined! Not only did he want to see me, he also invited me to  perform my single with his band! Wow! Simply going to the concert was exciting, but it never even entered my mind to ask for more than that. This is an amazing example of the way God loves us – far beyond anything we can dare ask, think or imagine!

The Tangible Love of God

I won’t lie – I was very nervous for the week leading up to the concert. Because I am not a natural performer,  even leading worship in my small church causes me to shake with nerves. But Brian and the band were incredibly welcoming, and I felt safe as we rehearsed and had supper together. Performing my song with professional musicians and sound quality was an amazing experience! By the time I was on stage, I was at peace. I was wrapped in the love of God, and I felt carried by the prayers and the love of my friends and family. In my mind I could see Him smiling at me, delighting in me, His daughter.

Love Without Limits

Mountain-top moments don’t happen every day. They are birthed out of the invisible and deep work God is doing in our hearts. They are gifts that remind us that God’s love is no less extravagant in the mundane moments, encouraging us to persevere in the everyday moments of ordinary faith. Sometimes we get so used to the idea of God’s love, we can lose the wonder of it. But God’s love is extravagant, even in times when we can’t feel it. We can never reach the end of God’s love. Even though I can’t imagine anything bigger happening to me, I know with God there is no ceiling!