3-16-2014

Good Morning All,

           Isaiah 43:1; “But now thus says the Lord, he who created you, O Jacob, he who formed you, O Israel: “Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by name, you are mine.

      It can be very embarrassing.  It was for me.  I was with a group of friends and colleagues as we were talking to a state senator.  I went to college with him and had taken a few classes with him.  I knew his wife from when they dated in college.  I had told my friends that we could talk to him and he would listen.  I assumed that he remembered me and I thought that would give me an “in.”  I told those with me that we were old buddies from college.  As the group introduced themselves to him, I waited until last.  I gave him the old, “how you doing buddy?’  He looked at me with a puzzled look and said, “and you are?”

    I was disappointed; I was embarrassed; I was shocked and let down.  I was an unknown.  I didn’t have a name as far as he was concerned; I was just one more voter, one more person who wanted something from him and the government.  I was pretty quiet on the way home.  I didn’t add much to the conversation.  I felt very small and almost invisible.

     Maybe you have been in that situation, you thought someone should have known who you were but they had absolutely no idea who you were.  It might just have been a puzzled look on their face or it might have been the, “I’m sorry, do I know you?” question that completely deflated you. Most of us are not famous but we like to think we are known.  We like to think that people recognize us.  When they don’t, we are depressed and deflated.  It hurts and it can hurt a lot especially if we thought we were close to the person who now doesn’t even have a clue who we are.

     It may be one of the most disheartening things we experience; a time when no one knows us.   We feel insignificant and unimportant.  We are lost.  This is how the devil wants you to feel; lost, alone, insignificant and without a voice.  Yet this is not how God views you.

    God knows your name and he calls you by your name.  God knows how many hairs are on your head but above all, God knows your fears and your pains and he seeks to calm them and ease them.  He wants to comfort you as his dear child and to give you hope.  He has created you and redeemed you. You are his twice and more importantly, you are his forever because you are his by his choice.  He wants you make no mistake about that.  God wants you as his dear child to live with him in eternal joy and peace.  This is his desire for you, that you be his forever blessed and in his kingdom.

Father of all mercy, you call us by name because we are your dear children.  You knew us before we were even formed.  Keep us as your dear children and lead us to see that you not only know us but you love us and cherish us and see us as your own children.  Be with those who feel lost and nameless.  Guide them by your Spirit that they may hear you call them by name.  In Jesus’ precious name we pray, amen.

God’s Peace

Pastor Bret