When I Speak Your Name

Tonight, I promised myself some time to journal and reflect on where I've been with the Lord for the past - oh I don't know - month or so?  I was at Chipotle on Saturday with a few friends and we met this guy who was passing out flyers for a revival meeting at Dodgers Stadium.  After chatting for a little bit, I asked if we could pray for him - and he shared a bit about how the Lord had shaken him from a place of "just doing the Faith" - not actually living in relationship/reliance with Jesus.  Man...yeah, that's where I've been - and where I'm walking out of.  It's this place where my interaction with God is staled by my pride, my avoidance of His word, and my hard-heartedness towards the One who calls me His.

Here's the grace, though. I got over myself - got off of facebook - and laid it all out before the Lord in my journal. I confessed, which led me to realize how frustrated I have been with my prayer life- how shallow and me-centric it's been, so I started to pray for other people. I watched as He put names in my mind and on my heart. It's not that God has been distant from me, but I've literally been distant from Him. And my heart aches.

As I was finishing up writing, this song came into my mind- I've sung it only once, but it's such a powerful reminder that when we find ourselves pridefully avoiding His voice, we need to only utter one thing- His name.

"When I Speak Your Name" - Kari Jobe

The lyrics, for those who prefer not to listen:

Jesus, the most beautiful Name
of all names
Jesus, the only Name
that brings healing and strength

When I speak Your name,
Mountains move, chains are loosed
When I speak Your name,
Darkness flees; it has no hold on me

Jesus, most beautiful name that I know
You're the exalted One
Jesus, You have the power alone
You lift the lowly one, Jesus

Jesus the most wonderful
Name of all names
Jesus the only Name
that brings freedom and hope

When I speak Your name,
Mountains move, chains are loosed
When I speak Your name,
Darkness flees; it has no hold on me

Jesus, most beautiful name that I know
You're the exalted One
Jesus, You have the power alone
You lift the lowly one, Jesus

Be exalted, Be exalted
Be exalted higher and higher.
--

May this be an encouragement to you, if you're not on speaking terms with the Lord. Just speak His name and let Him touch your heart.  There's life in that place, purpose and hope.

Love,
Amy