With a surge of adrenaline waking them up, the eleven were ready for action. They said, “Lord, is now the time to strike with the sword?” Peter cut off the servant’s right ear. Jesus stopped the retaliation. Following Jesus is not the way of violence, but peace. He said, “That’s enough.” He approached the bleeding man and, touching his ear, restored him. He did not leave the servant to suffer, even though the man was part of the mob who had come to arrest him. My kingdom is always about restoring wholeness.
Luke 22:49-51
Letters to the Beloved
Category: Letters to the Beloved
take risks and love big
Beloved, be committed to my kingdom, knowing that I am committed to you. Take risks, and love big. Yes, you may fail, but I am delighted when you are acting out of love for my Son. Here is the thing, I know you will not be perfect. No one is. Too many people are afraid to risk vulnerability or try new things because they are worried about my disapproval. I have given you a vibrant life. You are uniquely you, but you are not investing in love when you hide from me, others, or even from yourself. I always welcome your true self, warts and all. I want you to come and dance, even if you step on a few toes. The blessing is in the journey, not the accomplishment. I want you to show up and live.
Luke 19:24-27
Letters to the Beloved
be an ambassador
Regardless of what is going on in your life, be my ambassador. Act in love no matter what is happening around you. Be a beacon of hope in pain, suffering, hardship, affliction, and unrest. Let people see your pure heart, knowledge, patience, kindness, and genuine love, which come only by my Spirit. Speak truthfully and without qualification. Guard yourself with holiness and wholeness on every side. Seek to live an integrated life whether you are honored or dishonored, slandered or praised, rejected as a liar or accepted as a truth-bringer, living or dying, in punishment, sorrow, or loss. Keep hoping even when everything seems bleak.
2 Corinthians 6:4-10
Letters to the Beloved
clay pots
You have an infinite treasure–the light of my love–stored up in clay pots; heavenly beauty held within the stuff of earth, imperfections and all. Transformation comes because of my life in you. Daily stresses may leave you feeling battered and bruised, but my Son’s life in you means nothing can destroy you. In your suffering, be reminded of his death, but never lose sight of his indwelling Spirit, which is real life. Let every bit of pain, fatigue, and brokenness serve as a reminder of the life I have given you. Death and disintegration may be present in your day-to-day life, but your core identity is secure in my Son.
2 Corinthians 4:7-12
Letters to the Beloved
real shalom
“Do you think I came to bring peace on the earth? No, I came to divide fathers and sons, mothers and daughters, brothers and sisters.” Ultimately, beloved, my Son is the embodiment of true peace and love, not mere tolerance. Real shalom is active and results from hard work and adversity as you work to reintegrate your divided self and your fractured homes by the power of my Spirit. Continue working and wrestling through your pain rather than pretending it does not exist.
Luke 12:51-53
Letters to the Beloved
be who you are
Instead of fumbling around in the dark, pretending to be something you are not, be who you are. Walk in the light where you will always find me. This honest, vulnerable place is where you can have real friendships with one another and with me. When you remember that my Son’s blood has cleansed you thoroughly, you will not need to hide. Come out of the shadows and be seen. When you pretend that you are better than you are or have no sin in your life, you may deceive others, but the one you have deceived the most is yourself. You cannot live long in that disintegrated state before it begins to tear you apart. Half-truths are no truth at all.
1 John 1:7-8
Letters to the Beloved
love your enemies
Hear me: Love your enemies, even those who make your blood boil. Let love show up in your actions. Treat others well and do good for them. Bless those who are cursing you and want to see you hurt. Pray for the hearts of abusers. These people will do everything they can to steal your joy. Do not let them. Bring them to me in prayer. Release you negativity and do not give hatred a place in your heart. Bitterness will damage you far more deeply than your enemy ever could.
Luke 6:27-28
Letters to the Beloved
seeking quiet
My Son understood the importance of regularly withdrawing from the people. He would go off on his own to be with me. Learn from his example. Regularly retreating from the busyness and constant stimulation of life is healthy for your soul. It is even more challenging to get away from the hustle and bustle in the industrialized, ever-connected world. You will need to be intentional about finding a quiet place to be with me, just as my Son did.
Luke 5:16, Letters to the Beloved
Living non-offensively
Live non-offensively. I see many of my followers majoring in criticism, sarcasm, and attack. Too many seem to get a charge out of riling up those who believe differently. You can stand boldly for my truth without being a jerk. Instead, seek to do right by others, even those who strongly disagree with you. Do not compromise the truth, but live with kindness and other-centeredness so that others may come to know my Son.
-1 Corinthians 10:32-33
Letters to the Beloved (releases October 25, 2021)
You have been set free
Hear this message, beloved:
I am merciful toward you.
When you fall short of my holy standard,
I forgive you.
When you think or act
inconsistently with what my Spirit whispers,
I still cover you with my lavish grace.
Again, hear this truth;
Meditate on it until you get it.
Because of the new covenant,
enacted by my Son,
perfect priest,
perfect sacrifice,
perfect mediator,
I no longer remember your sins.
Let me repeat it:
I no longer remember your sins.
They are entirely gone.
All those sins you have committed
the ones you think about repeatedly,
listen, they are gone.
When I see you,
I see my Son’s perfection in you.
He has freed you from your chains.
You are no longer a slave;
you have been set free.
Live like it.
Hebrews 8:12, Letters to the Beloved
Jason Kanz 