You Are My Beloved

I wrote this introit when I was preaching a sermon for a service right after the Epiphany: Baptism of the Lord. Some churches invite a remembrance of baptism during that service.

“When Jesus had been baptized, just as he came up from the water, suddenly the heavens were opened to him and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and alighting on him. And a voice from heaven said, ‘This is my Son, the Beloved, with whom I am well pleased.’” -Matthew 3:16-17, NRSV

When I sing this song, I imagine God singing it to me – to us.

I have always loved Henri J.M. Nouwen. In his book, Life of the Beloved, he said:

“We are the Beloved. We are intimately loved long before our parents, teachers, spouses, children, and friends loved or wounded us. That’s the truth of our lives. That’s the truth I want you to claim for yourself. That’s the truth spoken by the voice that says, ‘You are my Beloved.’

“Listening to that voice with great inner attentiveness, I hear at my center words that say: ‘I have called you by name, from the very beginning. You are mine and I am yours. You are my Beloved, on you my favor rests. I have molded you in the depths on the earth and knit you together in your mother’s womb. I have carved you in the palms of my hands and hidden you in the shadow of my embrace. I look at you with infinite tenderness and care for you with care more intimate than that of a mother for her child. I have counted every hair on your head and guided you at every step. Wherever you go, I go with you, and wherever you rest, I keep watch. I will give you food that will satisfy all your hunger and drink that will quench all your thirst. I will not hide my face from you. You know me as your own as I know you as my own. You belong to me. I am your father, your mother, your brother, your sister, your lover, and your spouse...yes, even your child...wherever you are I will be. Nothing will ever separate us. We are one.’”

Life of the Beloved - https://www.amazon.com/Life-Beloved-Spiritual-Living-Secular/dp/0824519868/

Never forget – you are beloved. And you are not alone.

I’m very happy for you to use this music. It’s registered with CCLI (Song #7130926)and One License (Song #67650).

Blessings,

Beth