Acts 4:8-26-40
1 John 34:1-11(12-21)
John 15:1-8
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Dear friends in Christ,
When a big or meaningful event takes place in our lives. we have a tendency to fixate and focus heavily on them; at least I do. Because of all that concentrated focus on one area, our thoughts and words become all about that big thing, or one event or at least directed by them. This could be a big trip, a job change, a surgery, a loss, or in our case, an addition. So much of our lives right now, even our thoughts are about Benjamin and things pertaining to him. I'll try to be mindful of that and not make everything about him and his effects - at church, at home, and in emails... though he does provide some good illustrations.
Psalm 139:13-16 says: "For you formed my inward parts; you knitted me together in my mother's womb. I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full 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."
I look at little Benji and I see God's marvelous work literally sitting there in my hands. I also see it in the clouds against the backdrop of the clear blue sky. No two are ever alike. Some of them look fluffy, I want to go take a nap on them. Others resemble animals, objects, or countless other things at times - really whatever our mind can imagine. Even if all your eyes see is a cloud, or a baby, God has stitched everything in all creation together so uniquely and wonderfully. We can see that God creates order and beauty, complexity, and harmony as all these pieces of the universe fit together and function day in and day out. God has given all of this to serve us that we would enjoy it, tend it, and have dominion over it because he loves us.
We ultimately see God's love for us, not in the clouds, or in creation, not even in cute little babies, but in His Son, Jesus, who became a baby for us, taking on flesh and living a perfect life without sin for us. Jesus died on the cross for me, for you, for baby Benjamin - for the sins of the world and gives us eternal life through his resurrection from the dead. While we were still sinners Christ died for us (Romans 5) - THAT is love.
As you go about your week full of joys, struggles, pains, and uncertainty, take your eyes off the big things for a moment. Look at the clouds, look at your body, look at the world around you, everything has a unique beauty to it in some way. It is wonderfully made by an all-powerful God who loves you and works all things ultimately for you good. Confess your sins; your sins of worry, of selfishness, of doubt, anger and misuse of God's gifts, and lack of trust in Him - all these and more! Receive your Lord's forgiveness and trust wholeheartedly that it is so, that it is for you. Then go about your day in good cheer with the Lord's cross always before you. Let your joy be in Jesus, His empty tomb, and his love for us in ALL our circumstances. Enjoy His gifts and the mighty works of His hands!
In Christ,
Pastor DeHope
