When I am raised to life again, you will know that I am in my Father, and you are in me, and I am in you. Those who accept my commandments and obey them are the ones who love me. And because they love me, my Father will love them. And I will love them and reveal myself to each of them.” John 14:20-21 (NLT)
Last week I looked at the blessings of practice and how reading our Bibles is a vital part of practice. https://barbaracoulson.com/practice-brings-blessing/
I’ve spent this week pulling that same thread. I couldn’t seem to stop thinking about those blindfolded sailors. Like a dog with a bone, I kept gnawing over the purpose behind that drill. I felt a deep truth just beyond my grasp and I’ve chased it all week.
The blindfolded sailors had to know two things. Everything about the interior of their ship AND their position in the ship. Knowing those two things was imperative for the drills to successfully ensure their safety.
What does that mean for me as a Jesus-followers? I need to know two things.
Who the LORD is AND who I am in Him.
Who the LORD is…
The LORD is the same yesterday, today, and tomorrow; He’s unchanging! So everything I’ve learned of Him so far, every facet of His character He’s revealed to me is as true of Him today as it was when I first learned it.
Who I am…
I am His daughter, redeemed by Him on the cross and through His resurrection. Every benefit and blessing of our relationship is mine. I have all the authority and power of His name accessible to me through His word and prayer.
What am I learning? How do these two truths translate into facing the unexpected? How do they help when fear, doubt, sorrow, anger, and discouragement crowd into my mind and create a fog of distress?
Remembering tethers me (and you) to unchanging truth when the world feels out of control. Remembering turns our eyes from our circumstances to the One who is our help in times of trouble. We can take a breath because He’s bigger and stronger and able to show us the way through whatever it is we’re facing.
NOTE: Just like every sailor needs to know their position in the ship, we need to know our position. Are you in Christ? Maybe you’re not sure. If not, you can be. Use the link in the green box at the bottom of this post and take steps to be sure.
LORD, thank You for being unchanging in a world that is ever-changing. Thank You for making it possible for me to be in relationship with You, the God of all creation, the Maker of heaven and earth. Thank You for loving me that much. Please keep showing me more of who You are so I will trust You more and more.
And LORD, for those reading this today, please help them see You more clearly. Help them understand who they are (or can be) in You. If they are not Jesus-followers, grow in them a hunger to know You. If they are, grow in them a hunger to know You even more and grow in their understanding of their position in You. Thank You, LORD!
For more information on how you can be sure of your relationship with God, go to https://peacewithgod.net/mobile/?utm_source=Microsoft&utm_medium=CPC&utm_term=HowToGoToHeaven&utm_campaign=USPWGMobileSearchMic
Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright ©1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, a Division of Tyndale House Ministries, Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
I woke up this morning to an email that made me upset. My first thought was to write back in my anger. But I had to stop because of who I am in Jesus. All I can do now is to trust that God has my best interest. He will work this situation for His good and my good.
Thanks for the reminder.
Diane