Episode 2: You Are Loved

In the busyness of life, with its constant demands and distractions, it’s easy to forget one of the most profound truths: no matter what, you are loved. This is not just an abstract idea, but a deeply personal and spiritual reality that transcends circumstances, mistakes, or doubts. Love, at its core, is the foundation of our faith and existence. To truly live in this love, it is essential not only to know it intellectually but to understand it on a deeper, more intimate level.

In a world where so much of our worth seems tied to our achievements, appearances, or the approval of others, we often forget that the most important love is already given. This love is not earned or conditional. It does not depend on whether we succeed or fail, whether we meet society’s standards, or even how we feel about ourselves. The love that comes from the Creator is unconditional and unshakable, rooted in grace and mercy that far exceed our human understanding.

But to say that we are loved and to truly embrace that love are two different things. It’s one thing to hear the words, “You are loved,” and another to let them sink into the depths of your heart, to allow them to reshape how you see yourself and your place in the world. Knowing you are loved is the first step; understanding it transforms everything.

The challenge many of us face is that we have been conditioned to think that love must be earned. From a young age, we learn that good behavior brings rewards, and mistakes lead to punishment or rejection. Over time, this can shape our perception of love and worth. We start believing that we must prove ourselves worthy of love, that we must strive and struggle to be accepted. But faith tells us a different story. The Creator’s love is not transactional. It is not something we can earn by being “good enough.” It is a gift, freely given, regardless of our imperfections.

This truth can be difficult to accept, especially when we are surrounded by messages that tell us we are not enough. We are bombarded with images and ideas of what we should be, and when we fall short, we may feel unworthy or unlovable. Yet, in the eyes of the Divine, we are seen as whole and beloved, just as we are. It is this unwavering love that sustains us, even when we doubt ourselves or feel disconnected from it.

Understanding that you are loved means moving beyond the surface. It means letting go of the notion that love is conditional or dependent on our actions. It means embracing the truth that love is a part of our very being, woven into the fabric of who we are. This kind of understanding is not always easy. It requires faith, vulnerability, and the willingness to surrender the lies we’ve believed about ourselves. It means allowing the love of the Creator to break down the walls we’ve built around our hearts and to heal the wounds that have made us feel unworthy.

When we truly understand that we are loved, it changes how we live. It gives us a sense of security and peace that is not based on external circumstances. When we know that we are loved, we stop striving for approval and validation from the world around us. We stop comparing ourselves to others and measuring our worth by the standards of society. Instead, we begin to live from a place of wholeness, knowing that our value is not dependent on what we do but on who we are.

This understanding also changes how we relate to others. When we are secure in the knowledge that we are loved, we are better able to love those around us. We no longer look to others to fill the void inside us because we know that we are already complete. Instead, we can offer love freely, without expecting anything in return, because we are drawing from an infinite source.

But understanding that we are loved does not mean that life will always be easy or free from pain. There will still be challenges, setbacks, and moments of doubt. There will be times when we feel lost, confused, or alone. In those moments, it’s easy to question the reality of love, to wonder if we’ve been abandoned or forgotten. But faith reminds us that even in the darkest times, love remains. It is the thread that runs through every experience, the constant that never changes, no matter how difficult life becomes.

To truly know and understand that you are loved is a lifelong journey. It’s a process of continually returning to the truth, even when it feels distant or elusive. It’s a practice of faith, of trusting that love is always there, even when we can’t see it or feel it. It’s a reminder that, no matter what we face, no matter what mistakes we make, we are never beyond the reach of love.

In the end, this understanding is not just a comfort but a call to live more fully. When we know that we are loved, we are free to be ourselves, to pursue our purpose with confidence, and to love others with the same generosity that has been shown to us. This is the heart of faith: to know that we are loved beyond measure and to allow that love to shape every part of our lives.