I heard a word today that I needed to hear -- and I didn't realize how badly I needed to hear it until I did. Our pastor preached today on Jesus' baptism (Matthew 3:13-17) and the words from the Father: and behold, a voice from heaven said, “This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased.” We were reminded that, because we are in Christ, our heavenly Father speaks those same words to us. I am my Father's beloved child and he is well pleased with me. Those words brought tears to my eyes. I wanted to freeze time, sit with those words wrapping around me, and soak in that feeling.
And, you know what? I knew that already. I learned it on a much deeper level through the experience of writing the study on John's Gospel. The title of the study is the same title as this blog. This was the message the Lord wanted to get across to me and to the women who participated in the study. So why, today, did those words hit me with such force - albeit a gentle force?
The "force" (for lack of a better word) with which those words impacted me? That was grace. That was the Lord reminding me that he knows when I struggle, when I have big, difficult questions, when I wonder if I'm walking out this walk of faith in a faithful manner. That was the Lord looking at his daughter - the one that had a heavy heart this morning - and reminding her that she's loved. And not "just" loved, but pleased with that same child. Astonishing! That loving grace is what enables us to keep on going, keep on putting one foot in front of the other, even and especially when the road is really rocky. It's the grace that enables us to reach out to a brother or sister who's struggling or doubting and assure them that God looks at them as well, through his eyes of love.
Thank you, Thomas, for being a willing vessel for the Spirit to speak through this morning. And thank you, Lord, for reminding me and everyone else that needs that same word, that you will never leave us or forsake us. You are with us always, to the end of the age.
