“Beloved, if God so loved us, we also ought to love one another.” 1 John 4:11

A Loved Woman

Walk His Way Revisited

While at a women’s conference, I heard the worship leader say this: “A loved woman lives differently.” 

That got my attention. I began to consider all the ways we act when we know we are loved, and the ways we act when we think we are not loved. (I say “think” we are not loved, because God has always loved us, though we may not have known it or believed it.)

A loved woman does not have to protect herself; she knows the one who loves her protects her and keeps her from what would destroy her soul. 

A loved woman does not have to control others nor control her circumstances; she willingly gives control over to the one who will allow only what is good for her. 

A loved woman doesn’t need to fulfill or satisfy herself, nor make provision for herself, for she lives in the abundance of her lover’s gifts and attentions.

A loved woman does not spend time searching for herself, nor discovering herself, for she has found worth and meaning and value in the love she’s been given.

A loved woman is settled, certain, and courageous.

She is able to give and bless and love because she knows her supply will never run dry, for it comes from the one who loves her. He promised it would always be there, and it always is.

A loved woman is able to receive. She is open to all her lover wants to give, because she knows everything he gives is ultimately good, even if it is hard.

A loved woman is free.

She is free from looking around for another lover. She is not tempted to love another. She has an undivided heart—her eyes are only for the one who loves her.

She is free from drawing attention to herself, for she has no need of the affections of this world. Her lover pays attention to her at all times, and she wants to please him.

She is free from trying to be “great,” to be noticed, to be somebody important; she only cares that she is loved, and she is content to let others take the applause. 

Ladies, this may sound simplistic to you because your life has been one of rejection, not love and acceptance. But I declare to you that God loves you, and has always loved you. It may help you to recite this verse often, to remind you of the truth: “And we have known and believed the love that God has for us. God is love, and (s)he who abides in love abides in God, and God in him (her)” (1 John 4:16).

Father, I pray for those who are not convinced they are loved by You. In Your own way and time, show them the truth. May all Your daughters live as loved women: freely, openly, and unashamed. Amen.