As the rain and snow

“Now the word of the Lord came to Jonah the son of Amittai, saying, ‘Arise, go to Nineveh, that great city, and call out against it, for their evil has come up before me.’ But Jonah rose to flee to Tarshish from the presence of the Lord. He went down to Joppa and found a ship going to Tarshish. So he paid the fare and went down into it, to go with them to Tarshish, away from the presence of the Lord… Jonah [went] down into the inner part of the ship and [lay] down and was fast asleep… The men knew that he was fleeing from the presence of the Lord, because he told them… And the Lord appointed a great fish to swallow up Jonah.” Jonah 1:1-3,5,10,17

How quickly the flesh takes over when we do not like God’s commands! As easy as it might be to criticize Jonah’s outright rebellion, we must consider our own hearts in areas we do not want Him to touch, and admit that we, too, often flee to Tarshish. And it is quite easy to do so. Circumstances often smooth the path for disobedience, making the berth for self-will enticing and available, and when we are determined, we can see this as an approval to do our own thing. But we can never hide from God. Turn your back, take the detour, find the boat, buy the ticket, hide away in selfish escape, and God in His mercy will still find you out.

It is God’s enemy, the devil, who tempts us to think God’s way is too hard, our way is better, we can be king of our lives and control our environment and make our own plans and that’s what God intended anyway. If we let him, he takes over our thought processes and resolve and makes a mess of our walk. But it is the Spirit of God Who enables us not only to see the long view as He sees, but to have the strength to say no to sin and yes to God’s ways. It is the Spirit Who reminds us of His true promises and sows them into our minds for quick reference. It is the Lord Himself Who supplies grace and strength to turn from our flesh and say yes to His Ninevahs, as hard as the assignment is. (Luke 4:1-12; John 14:26; 16:13; Titus 2:11-12)

In what areas of my life: habits, fantasies, language, expenditures, entertainments, have I crossed my arms and said, “Stay out!”? Are there specific things God is calling me to do that I resist because they will require too much time and effort, because I prefer ease and comfort, because those He wants me ministering to are not the ones I would prefer? Where are my hideaways of attempted escape so I can shut off God’s voice and heed my own without interruption? Thankfully, in irresistible mercy, He will pursue me and provide the way to return to Him and His path. Will I take it? (1 Corinthians 10:13)

Good Father, identify my bents of clear rebellion against Your word, and replace them with a willing delight to obey. Pull me out of my Tarshishes, push me to Your Ninevahs, and stretch me to do Your will.

“Put off your old self, which belongs to your former manner of life and is corrupt through deceitful desires, and… be renewed in the spirit of your minds. Put on the new self, created after the likeness of God in true righteousness and holiness. Having put away falsehood, let each one of you speak the truth… Do not sin;.. give no opportunity to the devil. Let the thief no longer steal, but rather let him labor, doing honest work with his own hands, so that he may have something to share with anyone in need. Let no corrupting talk come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for building up, as fits the occasion, that it may give grace to those who hear… Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and slander be put away from you, along with all malice. Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you.” “Put to death what is earthly in you: sexual immorality, impurity, passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry. You must put them all away: anger, wrath, malice, slander, and obscene talk from your mouth. Do not lie to one another, seeing that you have put off the old self with its practices and have put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge after the image of its creator.” Ephesians 4:22-29,31-32; Colossians 3:5,8-10

The difference between a strong and useful ladder and a sturdy but useless one is where it is kept. It is imperative around salt water to keep metal up and out for it to stay clean. A dock ladder crusted with oyster shells and barnacles invites slashed feet, and likely will not fulfill its purpose. It takes hours of determination and hard work, along with a good set of tools and gloves, to chisel away at a the foreign, concrete-like clingers on a ladder left in the water too long.

Isn’t this a vivid picture of our lives? We were made to be conformed to Christ Jesus. When we immerse ourselves and remain in the world’s liquid without the respite of fresh air, we gather a growing crust of unsavory language, worldly thinking, and self-centered motivations. Personal rights and petty irritations cling to our mindset, and over time these attitudes and practices are almost impossible to chisel out. Submerged in the darkness, without coming up for regular cleansing with pure living water, and remaining in the light, our hearts grow hard. Barnacles of resentment, self-focus, sensual indulgences collect one on top of another until our created identity can hardly be recognized, and our effectiveness as God’s ambassadors decays. (Romans 8:29-30)

Where have I grown callous to sin? From what default habits of judgment or favoritism, or choices of entertainment, or creeping roots of bitterness, must I extricate myself in order to be filled with the Spirit? Once I repent and yield to God’s chisel, how accountable am I to staying clean? With what new shine am I replacing the old crust?

Good Father, pull me up out of complacency over ungodliness, cleanse me, and renew me day by day. May my life be a conduit for others to rise up to behold and love You.

“Oh come, let us worship and bow down; let us kneel before the Lord, our Maker!” “I will extol you, my God and King, and bless your name forever and ever. Every day I will bless you and praise your name forever and ever. Great is the Lord, and greatly to be praised, and his greatness is unsearchable.” “Praise the Lord! Praise God in his sanctuary; praise him in his mighty heavens! Praise him for his mighty deeds; praise him according to his excellent greatness! Let everything that has breath praise the Lord! Praise the Lord!” “Worthy are you, our Lord and God, to receive glory and honor and power, for you created all things, and by your will they existed and were created.” Psalm 95:6; 145:1-3; 150:1-2,6; Revelation 4:11

I watched silver fish jump this morning, their flat sides glistening along high and wide arcs in the early sun. One was so high I thought it had dropped from above. The merriment was a lovely combination of the happy exertion of these limbless creatures high into their ‘other world,’ and the pull of a mighty, powerful Creator Who, by His very worthiness, draws His creatures to worship.

Our strong and gracious God is a fire, drawing us to His light; His love is a magnet, pulling us to press close. When we, swimming in our normal and humdrum routines, recognize His magnificence, His transcendence on the outskirts of everyday living, holy desire compels us to rise up, to jump out of our world to exalt Him. His Spirit awakens yearning to absorb His light, taste His goodness, and relish His favor. His very greatness is a pull on us to worship, and our innate longing to know and understand Him, because eternity has been planted in our hearts, responds in supernatural expression of exultation in the divine. (Psalm 34:8; Ecclesiastes 3:11)

O soul, do you feel His pull? Can and will you rise? Are you stuck fast in drudgery with cataract eyes and over-stuffed senses, or will you exert your will to lift high God’s name and glory?

Though in our day-to-day we do not see the physical Jesus, we know Him by faith, and believe He is present. We see His hand working His designs in relationships, infirmities, changes of heart. When we love Him, His constant abiding fills us with inexpressible joy that cannot be contained, and it spills out in praise. While our troubles may pull us down and threaten to drown, the Sovereign’s lift is stronger; we experience His victory when we push through the surface of our circumstances, our pain, to worship. Our act of the will connects with the Almighty in incomparable union and gladness and expression of His glory. (Psalm 16:11; 1 Peter 1:8)

“My heart is steadfast, O God! I will sing and make melody with all my being!” Psalm 108:1

Resplendent King, You have made me to know You and Your mighty works. May I ever rise to praise You, leaving behind all that pulls and pollutes to exult in Your presence. May the joy of my salvation be contagious. (Psalm 139:14)

 

“Jesus… would not go about in Judea, because the Jews were seeking to kill him. Now the Jews’ Feast of Booths was at hand. So his brothers said to him, ‘Leave here and go to Judea, that your disciples also may see the works you are doing. For no one works in secret if he seeks to be known openly. If you do these things, show yourself to the world.’ For not even his brothers believed in him. Jesus said to them, ‘My time has not yet come, but your time is always here.'” “Now Thomas, one of the twelve, was not with them when Jesus came. So the other disciples told him, ‘We have seen the Lord.’ But he said to them, ‘Unless I see in his hands the mark of the nails, and place my finger into the mark of the nails, and place my hand into his side, I will never believe.’” John 7:1-6; 20:24-25

There are several instructive vignettes in Jesus’s life with His siblings and disciples that pull back the curtain on family dynamics. Jesus’s own brothers didn’t initially understand or believe in Him. Peter was impulsive, owning great faith, an often-uncontrolled tongue, and always a strong opinion. John knew Jesus loved him, but he and brother James, nick-named “sons of thunder,” craved positions of esteem, an ambition likely planted by their mother, who thought they were so entitled. Thomas waffled between bold comrade and doubting skeptic, devil’s advocate. What I love about Jesus is that He loved every one of them well, and spoke and ministered to each according to his specific personality, weakness, need for growth, correction, and affection. (Matthew 16:16-17,21-23; 20:20-24; Mark 3:17; 10:35-41; John 11:16; 13:23)

Whether related or not, there are people among whom we live, work, and worship, with whom we are bonded by God’s omniscient plan and Holy Spirit. In His creative mastery and wisdom, God intends the varied blessings and challenges in these relationships to display His beauty and develop our unique personalities and character, to teach us Christ-likeness in our thinking and doing. (Philippians 2:2-7)

What prevents our loving well those in the family God has given us? An air of superiority and knowing best, of disdain for another’s choices or political views, of impatience for a loved one’s maturing? Jesus has covered my multitude of sins, and when I love others  through Him, His love does the same– covering their sins I would otherwise dwell on, and sins against me that would otherwise foster hurt or bitterness. In a family, our bond of fidelity and love should override lesser things and free us to pursue common purpose and sanctification. (1 Peter 4:8)

Am I willing to disregard others’ weaknesses and quirks and chafing, and rather, try to understand them? Petty irritations focus on me, compassion on the other. Will I be bold enough to lay aside a healthy dose of my preferences and tastes and desires to pour out blessing and encouragement? Can I deliberately stop letting certain things get under my skin, and instead remember Jesus died for every flaw and bit of fickle, and extend His grace? Can I set aside my agenda to listen attentively, and respond with mercy, kindness, and affirmation?

Lord, help me love my beloved family better. May I set aside self to build up and bless Your people.

“Love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another. By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.” “Let love be genuine… Love one another with brotherly affection. Outdo one another in showing honor. Do not be slothful in zeal, be fervent in spirit, serve the Lord.” “Through love serve one another.” “Above all, keep loving one another earnestly.” “Beloved, let us love one another, for love is from God, and whoever loves has been born of God and knows God.” John 13:34-35; Romans 12:9-11; Galatians 5:13; 1 Peter 4:8; 1 John 4:7

The first bouquet was a text, words from a friend hundreds of miles away that bathed me with blessing and loving affection. Then flowers arrived for a colleague, a bright splash of fragrance and color from a friend, simply to celebrate her and cheer her day. The third was a ride to the hospital, companionship, and care to a loved one in a new city, from a friend who said, ‘friends don’t let friends go to the hospital alone.’ Love bouquets come in different styles and forms, but are all palpable gifts that sweeten our moments with the deep sense of being loved, not only by the giver, but by God Who plants the thought and prompts them to tell us so in a myriad of ways.

Jesus loved best, in laying down His life for us, and continues in irrepressible, wide love today as He abides with us, sides with us, and intercedes for us. Loving others well means grasping the way Jesus loves, and practicing with the same generosity, compassion, and whole-hearted abandon He did. It means saying ‘no’ to self and selfish desires to say ‘yes’ to what someone else wants. It means relinquishing personal ambition and instead, making it my ambition to serve and love others. It means preferring others, taking active interest in their lives, weeping and rejoicing with them, going out of my way to bless their days. It may look like a care package to a young mother with sick children, a note, a spoken prayer, a meal, or even flowers. (John 15:13; Romans 8:31,34;  12:15; Philippians 2:3-4; John 3:16)

This is counter-cultural. Love bouquets are things we are taught to pick and arrange and spend money on to mollify our stresses or irritations, to pamper ourselves, so to prepare and deliver them to others is a rare and glorious gift that brings heaven’s balm into the ordinary. The ways of God are different from ours, often viewed as subversive and antithetical to the self-sufficient ways of the world. But as Christians we have the privilege of injecting His beauty into dark and arid places to display Who He is and how He loves. When someone sees the flowers and asks their reason, we can prod them to higher thinking, to the Source of genuine love. (Isaiah 55:8; 1 John 4:8)

Have I recognized and thanked God for the love bouquets He’s lavished on me? What am I doing to arrange and deliver them to those in my path? When I offer myself as a conduit of the Savior’s love, He will direct me to spread it abroad to the blessing of others.

Lord Christ, love through me, and so show forth Your greatest gift to the world.

 

“Blessed be the name of the Lord from this time forth and forevermore! From the rising of the sun to its setting, the name of the Lord is to be praised! The Lord is high above all nations, and his glory above the heavens! Who is like the Lord our God, who is seated on high, who looks far down on the heavens and the earth?” “Praise the Lord from the earth, you great sea creatures and all deeps, fire and hail, snow and mist, stormy wind fulfilling his word! Mountains and all hills, fruit trees and all cedars! Beasts and all livestock, creeping things and flying birds! Kings of the earth and all peoples, princes and all rulers of the earth! Young men and maidens together, old men and children! Let them praise the name of the Lord, for his name alone is exalted; his majesty is above earth and heaven.” Psalm 113:2-6; 148:7-13

Who flecks the black expanse with white twinkling stars? Who smudges pink streaks across the end-of-night sky to announce the coming day? Who in silence shouts His glory so all who would look at the heavens, and watch, and wait, can hear? Whose majesty and power are limitless and cannot be contained? Who reigns high above the heavens, and rules over them and earth and all living things and the affairs of man and every lowly human heart? The God of gods, King of kings, and Lord of lords! The Friend of sinners and Lover of our souls! The Ruler of the universe Who condescends to show mercy and grace to His people! (1 Kings 8:27; Psalm 8:3-4; 19:1-2; 136:2-3; Matthew 11:19; Revelation 19:16)

He is the merciful God Who stoops to lift us up. “For though the Lord is high, he regards the lowly.” His perfect eye beholds His creation and looks in compassion on all He has made. He watches us muddle in the lowlands, wandering like sheep without a shepherd, consumed with the world and blind, deaf, and lame to His glories. But He does not abandon us. He does not leave us in these waste places. In lavish grace He lifts us up to see His glorious majesty in a new, supernatural dimension of life. He forgives our sin, heals our infirmities, broadens our possibilities, and sets before us a higher way, a highway of holiness. He imparts spiritual wisdom to open our eyes to His heavenly work. He gives lasting meaning to our days in His divine purposes, and His Spirit awakens in us holy passion to know Him. (Psalm 18:35; 103:3-4; 138:6; Isaiah 35:2,5-6,8; Mark 6:34)

What will it take to begin and reside each day in the heights with Him, far above what so easily entangles us, and all our energy and senses, here below?

“I’m pressing on the upward way,
New heights I’m gaining every day;
Still praying as I onward bound,
‘Lord, plant my feet on higher ground.'”  ~Johnson Atman, Jr. (1856-1926)

Transcendent LORD, Holy Highness, I want to breathe Your air. Please heighten the quality of the way I love and live, and elevate my thinking, that I may know You better and lift high Your praises forever. (Exodus 33:13,18)

“Now these are the chiefs of David’s mighty men, who gave him strong support in his kingdom, to make him king… Eleazar was with David at Pas-dammim when the Philistines were gathered there for battle. There was a plot of ground full of barley, and the men fled from the Philistines. But he took his stand in the midst of the plot and defended it and killed the Philistines… David was then in the stronghold, and… said longingly, ‘Oh that someone would give me water to drink from the well of Bethlehem that is by the gate!’ Then the three mighty men broke through the camp of the Philistines and drew water out of the well… and took it and brought it to David… at the risk of their lives. 

“The Spirit clothed Amasai, and he said, ‘We are yours, O David, and with you! For your God helps you.’ They helped David against the band of raiders, for they were all mighty men of valor and were commanders in the army… From day to day men came to David to help him, until there was a great army, like an army of God… [There were] men who had understanding of the times, to know what Israel ought to do; seasoned troops, equipped for battle with all the weapons of war, to help David with singleness of purpose; commanders with men armed with shield and spear; troops ready for battle. All these, men of war, arrayed in battle order, came to Hebron with a whole heart to make David king over all Israel. Likewise, all the rest of Israel were of a single mind to make David king… And they were there with David for three days, eating and drinking, for their brothers had made preparation for them. And also their relatives, from as far as Issachar and Zebulun and Naphtali, came bringing food on donkeys and on camels and on mules and on oxen, abundant provisions of flour, cakes of figs, clusters of raisins, and wine and oil, oxen and sheep, for there was joy in Israel.” 1 Chronicles 11:10,12-14,16-19; 12:18,21-22,32-34,36,38-40

Almighty God had promised to make David king, and He, in beautiful order, brought all the necessary parts and people together to make it happen. The sovereign Master anointed mighty men of valor with specific gifts of intellect, perception, agility, courage, strength, a willing spirit of unselfish cooperation, and He appointed each to his place to bring about His plans. The result was a humbled, grateful, effective ruler with unified support, people in place working for the good of the whole, and great joy at the realization that God’s purposes were being achieved with His blessing and favor. (1 Samuel 16:1,12-13)

Whom has God called me to support, and how? What messages, bravery, resources, manual labor, talent am I contributing to bolster another’s position of leadership? Whether I offer physical respite or verbal defense of a reputation, loving encouragement or raisin cakes, I can and should actively serve and build up those God has called to lead.

Father, make me eager and bold to do my part in Your kingdom. Give me acuity, creativity, and gumption to come alongside and bless those You call to lonely places of great responsibility. And may Your joy and glory abound.

“By faith Abraham obeyed when he was called to go out to a place that he was to receive as an inheritance. And he went out, not knowing where he was going. By faith he went to live in the land of promise, as in a foreign land, living in tents with Isaac and Jacob, heirs with him of the same promise. For he was looking forward to the city that has foundations, whose designer and builder is God… These all died in faith, not having received the things promised, but having seen them and greeted them from afar, and having acknowledged that they were strangers and exiles on the earth. For people who speak thus make it clear that they are seeking a homeland. If they had been thinking of that land from which they had gone out, they would have had opportunity to return. But as it is, they desire a better country, that is, a heavenly one. Therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God, for he has prepared for them a city.” Hebrews 11:8-10,13-16

The ‘Hall of Faith’ in Hebrews 11 describes many other-worldly-thinkers and doers, men and women of God whose lives were not their own and whose treasure was with God. They were, here on earth, and in the turmoil and hardship of normal work and ministry, of complicated family relationships and moving and travel, fixed on the heavenlies. This perspective identified them and fueled their days.

“Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth. For you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. When Christ who is your life appears, then you also will appear with him in glory.” Colossians 3:2-4

How strong is our pull to things of this earth? To the places we love, to comforts of routine and security of our homes and entitlement to the absence of pain and difficulty? Is it greater than our longing to see our Savior’s face, for the heavenly city whose architect and designer is God? Do I consider the gift of my days through the lens of heaven? What evidence is there in how I spend time and money, where I invest talent and energy, that I am looking forward to the heavenly home my Lord is preparing? (John 14:2-3; 1 Corinthians 13:12; 1 John 3:2)

“Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal, but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also… Seek first the kingdom of God.” Matthew 6:19-21,33

Hankering for our heavenly city means we regard ourselves as strangers and aliens here, yet those who live with vital faith that infuses our present with robust hope and meaning. With a limited number of days, we can embrace our opportunities to proclaim and live out the gospel, to feed the hungry with the bread of life.

Lord God, compel me to sojourn toward my sure heavenly destination with a loose hold on things of this earth, generous living for others’ eternal good, and an eye for Your glory.

“The sons of Ephraim: Shuthelah, and Bered his son, Tahath his son, Eleadah his son, Tahath his son, Zabad his son, Shuthelah his son, and Ezer and Elead, whom the men of Gath who were born in the land killed, because they came down to raid their livestock. And Ephraim their father mourned many days, and his brothers came to comfort him. And Ephraim went in to his wife, and she conceived and bore a son. And he called his name Beriah, because disaster had befallen his house. His daughter was Sheerah, who built both Lower and Upper Beth-horon, and Uzzen-sheerah. Rephah was his son, Resheph his son, Telah his son, Tahan his son, Ladan his son, Ammihud his son, Elishama his son, Nun his son, Joshua his son.” 1 Chronicles 7:20-27

There are nuggets of gold tucked in to the holy scriptures, if we would but search for them. We might list our favorite Bible characters as those known for humble leadership or military might, warriors, judges, kings, sophists, missionaries, but do we also treasure those who are tender and ‘human,’ who are remembered for the way God met them and redeemed their suffering? Ephraim, son of Jacob’s eleventh son Joseph, was a seemingly ordinary man, noted for his grief over his sons who were killed in an attempted raid. From his ‘disaster’ we see the beauty of God’s redemptive mercy, borne from the seed of shed blood, come to flower through a son born out of the comfort of familial and marital love. That son’s daughter became an accomplished woman, and his son the predecessor, over generations, of Joshua, one of the greatest men and leaders of Israel who ever lived.

We can become numbed by pain in our lives, disasters of hurt from having been deceived or betrayed, from the punch-gut shock of losing a loved one suddenly, or the weary, draining sadness over a drawn-out suffering and good-bye. Our observation of long-standing, seemingly never-ending rebellion of a child, or our inability to shake off regret for what never came to be in our career or a relationship, can leave us frigid and in the dark, resigned to limited vision and thinking we will never get warm again. But God knows all our grief, His merciful Son bore it on our behalf, and He is nigh to brighten our soul’s winter with His light of hope. (Isaiah 53:4-5)

Almighty, omniscient God includes accounts like this in scripture to remind us He is intricately involved in every aspect of our lives, and is powerful to save, comfort, and redeem. Not one tear falls that He does not measure, not one pang pierces that He does not feel. He is indeed the God of all comfort, Who delights to exercise His perfect nature in our lives. (Psalm 121:3,8; Proverbs 15:3; 2 Corinthians 1:3-4)

“The Lord your God is in your midst, a mighty one who will save; he will rejoice over you with gladness; he will quiet you by his love; he will exult over you with loud singing.” Zephaniah 3:17

Lord, thank You for Your loving and merciful light that permeates and dispels the darkest pain. Enable me to bring Your sweet comfort to those who mourn, that they are wrapped in warmth by Your palpable presence. (Matthew 5:4)

 

“Meonothai fathered Ophrah; and Seraiah fathered Joab, the father of Ge-harashim, so-called because they were craftsmen. The sons of Caleb: Iru, Elah, and Naam; and the son^[c] of Elah: Kenaz. The sons of Jehallelel: Ziph, Ziphah, Tiria, and Asarel. The sons of Ezrah: Jether, Mered, Epher, and Jalon. These are the sons of Bithiah, the daughter of Pharaoh, whom Mered married; and she conceived and bore Miriam, Shammai, and Ishbah, the father of Eshtemoa. And his Judahite wife bore Jered the father of Gedor, Heber the father of Soco, and Jekuthiel the father of Zanoah. The sons of the wife of Hodiah, the sister of Naham, were the fathers of Keilah the Garmite and Eshtemoa the Maacathite… The sons of Shelah the son of Judah: Er the father of Lecah, Laadah the father of Mareshah, and the clans of the house of linen workers at Beth-ashbea; and Jokim, and the men of Cozeba, and Joash, and Saraph, who ruled in Moab and returned to Lehem … These were the potters who were inhabitants of Netaim and Gederah.” 1 Chronicles 4:14-19,21-23

Reading through chapters and chapters of hard-to-pronounce names in the Holy Bible is an exercise in wonder, not tedium. Every one of these individuals was created in the image of God, named, known, important, valued, a part in the whole of history, divinely memorialized in His scriptures.

Each one of us is created unique; God numbers our days and the hairs on our head. He knows who we are, what we are made of and gifted to do, and He calls us by name. We may feel at times we are insignificant, directionless, we do not belong, or cannot make a difference. Yet, when we listen to God’s voice, His messages affirm our personal significance, our value to Him, and our specific place in time, history, location, the world. (Psalm 139:13-18; Luke 12:6-7; Acts 17:24-28)

“Thus says the Lord, he who created you,.. he who formed you: ‘Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by name, you are mine… I am the Lord your God, the Holy One of Israel, your Savior. I give Egypt as your ransom, Cush and Seba in exchange for you. You are precious in my eyes, and honored, and I love you.'” Isaiah 43:1,3

Why fret? Why tarry in zeal, in serving, in living fully? If we would stop our ears to godless banter and social media that say we will never measure up, we find security in our Father Who beckons us by name to know and live for Him exactly where we are.

“The sheep hear his voice, and he calls his own sheep by name and leads them out… He goes before them, and the sheep follow him, for they know his voice… I am the good shepherd. I know my own and my own know me..; and I lay down my life for the sheep.” John 10:3-4,14-15

Almighty God, may I thrive in the identity You have given me, and affirm value to every one of Your image-bearers.