Loved and Known

The Lord gave me a gift tonight. My sister-in-law posted this video on Facebook and somehow it gave me a comforting perspective. (Here is the link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jfSNxVqprvM)

I am loved and known. In my littleness, weakness, and frailty the Lord, the great I AM sees me and knows me…and suddenly that is all that matters. This one perspective has made all the difference.

It reminds me of David’s powerful and beautiful prayer in Psalm 139, the very Psalm we have been praying this semester as a plea for God to search our hearts and lead us in the path of true life. David says,

I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made. Wonderful are your works; my soul knows it very well. My frame was not hidden from you, when I was being made in secret, intricately woven in the depths of the earth. Your eyes saw my unformed substance; in your book were written, every one of them, the days that were formed for me, when as yet there was none of them. How precious to me are your thoughts, O God! How vast is the sum of them! If I would count them, they are more than the sand. I awake, and I am still with you. (Psa. 139:14-18)

Laurie started out her lecture this past week by reminding us that we must not be frightened by our sinfulness or weakness. Challenging words. Fear is actually what paralyzes us and keeps us from taking that ONE step forward in obedience.

I loved Laurie’s description and drawing of the tree planted with its deep roots of faith, hope, and love. We often view faith as the antidote to fear, and rightly so in many ways. But as a fellow participate paraphrased the next lecture point, “…clearly God’s love is also instrumental in dealing with our fear. His love for us is what will ultimately cast out our fear. Therefore we must believe and receive and abide in His love in order to stop living in fear.” John also reminds us along similar lines, “There is no fear in love, but perfect love casts out fear. For fear has to do with punishment, and whoever fears has not been perfected in love” (1 John 4:18).

So my encouragement to you today is that if you feel stuck, defeated, or discouraged, as you have continued to battle your sin struggles, DON’T GIVE UP! Take a few minutes and watch this video and consider that your Maker and Creator is currently, right now, holding the Universe in place. But He also deeply loves and cares for you…not because of your performance….but because of who He is and because of who you are…His precious child. May this incredible promise propel you on in your journey as you continue to yield to Him: “And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ” (Phil 1:6).

Rooted in Christ