Do you feel that God loves you? Really feel it?

I’ve struggled with that over the decades of my life. A way to make God’s love feel more real came in a booklet from Renovare. This Christian nonprofit provides resources to help people feel the fullness of life in God through spiritual practices.

The booklet, “Learning to Hear God: Two Listening Exercises” opens with wisdom from the nonprofit’s co-founder, Dallas Willard. You can obtain a PDF or a copy of the booklet by clicking here.

The first exercise, written by Trevor Hudson, guides us in creating a “beloved charter.” This is a statement composed of Scriptures about God’s love for us. In the exercise, Hudson has us slowly read Scriptures that remind us of how God loves us. You can use Hudson’s list or select your own, perhaps using a Bible promise book.

Some of the scriptures that Hudson included are:

• 1 Samuel 16: 7
• Psalm 139: 13-16
• Matthew 6: 25-26
• Luke 12: 6-7
• Romans 5: 6-8
• Romans 8: 28
• Ephesians 2: 4-8
• Titus 3: 4-7

Another list of verses is found here on biblestudy.com.

Look through the verses and see which ones speak to you. Then convert any general language to specific language that sounds like God speaking directly to you. Use the phrases in those verses to weave together a statement of how God feels about you.

This is mine: The Lord my God is with me, a mighty one who saves. He rejoices over me with gladness. He quiets me by his love. He exults over me with loud singing. He strengthens and helps me. Even the hairs of my head are all numbered.

I printed the statement and put it on my desk. So I see it when I sit down to work. It’s a good reminder that God loves each of us. Especially you. Especially me.