God in Times of Sorrow

The seventy returned with joy, saying, “Lord, in your name even the demons submit to us!” He said to them, “I watched Satan fall from heaven like a flash of lightning. See, I have given you authority to tread on snakes and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy; and nothing will hurt you. Nevertheless, do not rejoice at this, that the spirits submit to you, but rejoice that your names are written in heaven.” ~ Luke 10:17-20
You is kind. You is smart. You is important. ~ Katheryn Stockett, The Help

How did you define yourself two months ago? If someone asked what you did, or what you were, did you answer first what your career was?

 I think I did sometimes.

 When I read the book, and saw the movie, The Help, these words from Aibileen, the main character, made my tears well up. Aibileen said the words to a child in her care, and it seemed to me as if this were the most lovely image of God speaking to us as God's children.

 It seemed like the most lovely image of God telling us who we actually are.

 Jesus tells us we will do wonderful things. We are capable of mighty acts of service and work.

 But those are not what define us.

 Those aren't the things we should rejoice about first.

 We rejoice because our names are written in heaven. And nothing can take that away from us.

 We rejoice because we are important to God. And nothing can take that away from us.

 Even worry. Even fear. Even deadly viruses or uncertain economic futures.

 We are still important to God. We are still beloved.

 Our names are still written in heaven.

Prayer: Thank you, thank you, that I am important to you, O Lord! Amen


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