Wednesday, August 30, 2023
I’m so thankful Jesus meets us where we are. We don't need to have it all together to earn his love. Many of us have addictions, hurts, and hangups that sometimes prevent us from feeling like we deserve others’ respect or love—let alone, God's! Jesus came to save you and me, no matter where we are in our lives. How much or how little we know about “church life” doesn't bother him. He loves us, and he wants us to love him—as we are, right now, at this moment.
Mark 2:16-17
16 But when the teachers of religious law who were Pharisees saw him eating with tax collectors and other sinners, they asked his disciples, “Why does he eat with such scum?”
17 When Jesus heard this, he told them, “Healthy people don’t need a doctor—sick people do. I have come to call not those who think they are righteous, but those who know they are sinners.”
Sometimes, as followers, we forget to ask ourselves, “Where is the love?” We forget that we too were once lost. Despite the love and friendship we have received from Jesus and other Christ followers, especially when we were new to our faith, we have a tendency to turn away from people we consider strangers. It's definitely easier to ignore people and situations than it is to step up out of love and meet them head-on.
What if instead of saying “no” and avoiding the things that make us feel uncomfortable (or a little afraid), we prayed for the courage to step into it like Jesus did?
A couple weeks ago, I had the opportunity to instruct a class for the first time. After two months of planning, I thought, “I got this!” But as the date approached, I started doubting myself. Other people knew I could do it, but I was scared and wanted to quit. I am so grateful to have a friend and partner like Christle. She prayed over me and did what she could to build me up. She reminded me that I am who God says I am, and that I was completely capable of instructing the class. But she also reminded me that I needed to have the desire and courage to do it.
I imagine Jesus would have done something similar—be the friend to build you up, remind you who you are and who you belong to, and then give you a nudge when you need it. He could say something like “Hey, the Father loves you so much that he sent me here for you, and I know you will be great!” He meets us right in the moments when we need him, because he knows where the love is. It's within us, through him.
Thankfully, the class went well, and I got some great teaching experience. And just in case, you need to hear it:
You got this! I believe in you!
Questions:
Have you ever forgotten, because of fear, doubt, or something else, that God loves you? What did you do to remind yourself? Who can you go to for that reminder? Are you willing to be that reminder for someone else?
Next Steps:
Attend GrowthTrack, and find your God-given talents. Then ask your campus team where your skills are needed to bless others. Call someone you haven't talked to in a while and remind them that you love them, and so does Jesus.
Prayer: Day 17 - For Our Neighbors (Mark 12:29-31)
Heavenly Father, we praise you for the gift of community and the joy of neighbors. We ask for your peace and protection over our neighborhood and every home in it. We pray you would fill our streets with grace and mercy, and that you would teach us to love one another as you have loved us. We lift up to you those who are sick, hurting, or lonely, and we ask for your healing and comfort in their lives. Lord, we desire that our neighborhood be a place where your presence is known, and your name is glorified. Help us to be good neighbors who shine your love and light to the world. In Jesus’ name we pray, amen.
Series Theme Verse:
1 John 4:10-11
10 This is real love—not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as a sacrifice to take away our sins. 11 Dear friends, since God loved us that much, we surely ought to love each other.
This post was written by Casey Stengel, a regular contributor to the LivingItOut Devotional.