In her essay called “The Wreck of Time,” Annie Dillard references the idea that when a single person dies, we treat it as a tragedy. But when a million people die, we treat it as a statistic.
This unsettling observation shows how inconsistent we humans can be concerning the value of a life. On the one hand, if a friend or relative or some other cherished person is taken from us, we are moved to deep and abiding sorrow. On the other hand, if a million lives with whom we share no personal connection are suddenly wiped out by a viral pandemic or natural disaster, any initial sadness and shock we feel can fade within weeks, and possibly within hours. The one who is close to us seems more precious even than the million who are further away.
Our selective valuation of our fellow humans invites a haunting question: If the million don’t matter to us as much as the one, then can we honestly say that the one really matters at all? How precious are many lives, how precious is a single life, and how precious is my life… really?
Each of us living today is one in seven billion. Of all the people who have ever lived, we are one in 107 billion. David hinted at this relative smallness of ours when he cried out to God, “What is a human being that you remember him, a son of man that you look after him?” (Psalm 8:4).
Thankfully, Scripture provides us with a strong and sure answer. David continued, “You made him a little less than God and crowned him with glory and honor” (v.5). The poet-king after God’s own heart is genuinely awestruck by the truth about all humans and about each individual human: We are made in the image of God (Genesis 1:27). Of all creatures everywhere, only humans are esteemed in this way.
This truth about our inestimable value becomes even more compelling when we realize that in Christ, we are the image of God but also much more: Scripture tells us we are the children of God. And as His children, He gives us life through His Word and teaches us His ways (Psalm 119:25–26). In his letter to the Galatians, Paul amplifies this astonishing truth by reminding us that through faith in Christ, God has adopted us, sent His Spirit into our hearts, invited us to call Him “Father,” and made us heirs of all that is His (Galatians 4:4–7).
As Brennan Manning has written, “Define yourself radically as one beloved by God. This is the true self. Every other identity is an illusion.”
The next time you look in the mirror, don’t for a moment think that you’re looking at a mere face in the crowd. Don’t for a moment think that you’re looking at a tragedy or a statistic. You have no true basis for looking at yourself in this way. Rather, you are looking at an esteemed crown of God’s creation, a beloved child of God, and a privileged heir of everything.
This is your true self. Every other identity is an illusion.
Scott Sauls is husband to Patti, dad to Abby and Ellie, and senior pastor of Christ Presbyterian Church in Nashville, Tennessee. Scott was also lead and preaching pastor at NYC’s Redeemer Presbyterian Church after planting two churches in the midwest. Scott has authored several books, including Jesus Outside the Lines and his most recent work, A Gentle Answer. He regularly blogs at scottsauls.com. His work has been featured in Christianity Today, Relevant Magazine, Qideas, Catalyst, Leadership Magazine, Outreach Magazine, annvoskamp.com, The Gospel Coalition, and several other publications. You can connect with Scott on Facebook or Twitter/Instagram at @scottsauls.
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90 thoughts on "Give Me Life Through Your Word"
I love the define yourself radically beloved by God. I think that is a beautiful phrase and it really resonated with me. Amen!
Wowwww. How much does the one matter when the million doesn’t?
It was so lovely to be reminded and encouraged first thing in the morning!
Thank you Jesus for allowing me to be your child!
I love this plan. I just finished studying Psalm 119 with my church young adults group and going deeper is just so encouraging to me
Wow!
I love you Jesus❤️
Lord l want to trust in you more and live according to his purpose and assignments for my life
I am an heir to God’s many blessings amen!
Help me embrace my identity in you and the desire to tach my sons
A word in season , give me life through your word to ensure I know my identity in you oh Lord
Great passage and good devotional thought. I do think the devotional thought was extremely loosely connected to passage. Wish it dug more into the scripture.
Amen!
Praying this morning that God gives me delight in studying his Word and meditating on it. So often quiet time is the first thing to go when things get rushed or stressful. It shouldn’t be that way.
I too saw the ” if then” statement in Joshua. IF I meditate on His word carefully observe it THEN I will prosper and succeed. We also have to be careful to note that if might not be the way the world would “classify” prosper or succeed.
Just being a nice person is not enough, but we also have to live by the Lords decrees. My prayers always include instill grace, patience, love and faith in every word I speak and every action I take. For example, if people are gossiping about me or someone else, there is no need to engage in such idle talk.
This message really hit home for me today. And I think God is really trying to tell me something: Galatians 4:4–7 was also in my devotional today for First 5.
I’ve been behind on my reading here, but if anyone reads this could you please pray for me? I’m going through some health challenges and during this time it’s especially scary. I have faith that God does not waste pain and I am asking Him what I need to learn from what I am going through, to grow and get better. Thank you for the prayers. Have a blessed day everyone.
Praying for you!
Lord, lift up this sister in Christ. See her hurt, her pain. You will not waste it. Let’s the doctors be guided by your truth. Let the medicine heal her biological body. And let my sisters mind hang in there. For your mercy is new every morning. In this name we pray! The church cried, AMEN
Praying for you, Lehua! Also behind on the reading and catching up.
Praying for you, Lehua! For healing, for peace and that God would open your eyes to see what he has for you during this season.
Praying!
Hi all – I just joined this app per a friend’s recommendation. I really love the chat feature, I’ve been looking for a way to connect with like-minded Christians for a long time especially centered on scripture discussion. Happy to be here and connect with you all.
I am noticing more and more this double movement : on one hand we move toward god and union with Him by meditating and applying His Word. One the other hand of He has not granted His grace and given us a larger heart and an understanding of His word, we can’t have this union we desire. It’s it quite puzzling to me … i need to explore this theme !
I’ve been reading Lay It Down by Bill Tell- it talks about this a lot- I would super recommend it!!
My takeaway from today is similar to yesterday. God’s Word is the answer. I have read and heard Joshua 1 quoted many times but today was the first time I paid attention to the fact that Joshua would only be strong and courageous if he observed the Word. The Psalmist kept, contemplated, longed for, thought about, mediated on, chose, set, clung to, pursued the Lord’s commands- he knew only the Word could give life. And praise God- the Word became flesh, died, was buried, resurrected, and ascended in order to redeem me and give me eternal life. Give me life through your Word, indeed!
Lord, I want more of you. Please teach me your ways. Thank you that I don’t have to do it alone, no, not even by my power at all, but by your Spirit Lord, (Zecheriah.) Thank you that you have made me an heir, to whom everything belongs, I am rich in you. Lord, my life is down in the dust, give me life in your Word. I have told you about my life and you have answered me, teach me your ways. I will fight because you are with me. I thirst for you and you satisfy me. I will put my hope in you and praise you, my savior and my God. You have compassion on me. Please guide me by your power. For there is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name, under heaven, given among men, by which we must be saved. (Acts 4:12)
So you are no longer a slave but a son,aa and if a son, then God has made you an heir.ab
PAUL’S CONCERN FOR THE GALATIANS
8 But in the past, since you didn’t know God, you were enslaved to thingsF that by nature are not gods. 9 But now, since you know God,ad or rather have become known by God, how can you turn back again to the weak and worthlessae elements?af Do you want to be enslaved to them all over again? 10 You are observing special days, months, seasons, and years.ag 11 I am fearful for you, that perhaps my labor for you has been wasted.
The message version of vs 29-30 says “Barricade the road that goes Nowhere; grace me with Your clear revelation. I choose the true road to Somewhere. I post Your road signs at every curve and corner.” I love that first sentence. It’s a reminder that God has the path marked out and will guide us if we follow. He will place the barricades and light the path that leads to Somewhere-to Him.
I like that – thank you!
The Message version of vs
Father thank you for loving me as I learn to love all your precepts by heart. Amen
I love verse 25 – “My life is down in the dust; give me life through your word.” I need that on repeat. “Give me life through your word.” And again in verse 28, “Strengthen me through your word.” So beautiful.
“Define yourself radically as one beloved by Christ” – this made me think of how John always refers to himself as “the disciple whole Jesus loved” — what if we viewed/defined ourselves like John, by Jesus’ love for us, rather than what we do/don’t do?
Beautiful thought!
Yes, I love this! Thanks for sharing.
I think I needed to hear the devotional part. I’m battling depression and family conflict. Would appreciate your prayers.
❤️❤️❤️
Praying for you, Ellen.
Hi Ellen, I’ve been dealing with a lot of family conflict also. God’s got you. Don’t succumb to depression and don’t give up! You have an assignment within your family to be a light that shows them Jesus. Apologize for any wrong doing or slights on your part (if any), forgive (even if it’s hard, by the Grace of the Holy Spirit you can do it) and do your best to live in peace with everyone (even if it requires some time and space) Let your humility, loving kindness, mercy, and pursuit of peace reflect the spirit of God in you. Lead them by example and if you mess up, just keep coming before God and doing your part to reconcile. You’ve got this! I’m praying for you sincerely. God loves you so much. Hang in there
He gives us life through His Word and teaches us His ways…We are His…I am
in awe…
Observations from Ps. 119:17-32:
The words of God in Scripture in all their various forms…
Show us wondrous things
Overwhelm us with longing for it
Bring delight and counsel
Give life
Allow us to meditate on His wonders
Strengthen us in grief
Keep us from deceit
Lead us to the truth
Broaden our understanding.
Yes- great observations!!
Wow every other identity is an illusion ❤️
Amen.
Soo good. Thank you. May we have eyes to see our true worth and those around us with the same eyes!
Thanks for your reply Erin. I see what he is getting at – I just think its pretty normal to care more for the people closest to you – and he said that it “shows how inconsistent we humans can be concerning the value of a life” and I just disagree. :)
I can’t even begin to express how powerful Galatians 4:1-7 truly is to me. The final verse, 7, made me smile a huge smile while reading it. The warmth it made me feel was comforting. Knowing God is always in my corner and having faith I will do the right thing, gives me incredible hope for myself in this fallen world.
❤️
I LOVE Scott Sauls commentary for today. It touches my heart and brings every person into perspective.
Thank you Tina for your share. I saw myself in some of your sharing, BUT GOD… Blessings sister.♥️
Galatians 4: 6 “And because we are his children, God has sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, prompting us to call out, ‘Abba, Father.’ ” expresses how I want to refer to God, whether in bad times or good times. After reading verses 25-28 several times, I have realized how much these verses speak to me right now. I also realize verse 32, “I pursue the way of our commands, for you broaden my understanding.” is where I want and need to be. After reading today’s devotion, I have come to the conclusion God and Christ need to be foremost in my life. I have also come to understand my relationship and closeness with God and Christ. My earthly father died several years ago, but I know I can always turn to my Heavenly Father when I need to with both the bad and the good.
I have had moments of sorrow during this pandemic of weeping over people I do not even know, asking God to break my heart for what breaks His. To grasp the idea that over a million people have died from this virus is mind blowing to me and to see that there is over 107 billion people in this world still doesn’t take the pain away. Today reading is such a encouragement of God Word giving life. Meditating on it day and night gives us the strength of a new day. I
“A beloved child of God”—the only identity that matters, now & forever!
Though the devotion didn’t go where my mind did as I read today’s passages, it did touch to another place I was talking to the Lord about earlier this morning. This idea of emotional response to all the suffering, sin and darkness in this world. A few days ago I listened to a sermon talking about how science confirms that our anxiety causes physical symptoms and even illness. As I considered this thought I was reminded of the words of Paul in Romans 9:1-2:
“I am speaking the truth in Christ –I am not lying; my conscience bears me witness in the Holy Spirit–That I have great sorrow and unceasing anguish in my heart. For I could wish that I myself were accursed and cut off from Christ for the sake of my brothers, my kinsmen according to the flesh.”
He also expresses great emotion in other places of Scripture because of the sins and lost people around him (e.g. 2 Corinthians 11:28-29; Philippians 3:18). As I ponder the call to “not be anxious about anything” and the promise of “peace that passes understanding”, I’ve looked at these passages which bring to us a kind of paradox. From my own experience, I, too, have felt the deep anguish for the lost, those I know personally and those I don’t. And those emotions bring about physical symptoms and can exacerbate my illness. Yet, I understand this as loving my neighbor.
But, the thing is I don’t always feel this sorrow the unceasing way Paul spoke about. There are times I feel more numb, a kind of compassion fatigue as I’ve heard it called. What I’ve learned to do in this place is ask the Lord to restore a heart for the lost which he first gave me years ago when I prayed that prayer the first time. And it’s not just for the lost but for all who are suffering.
I recognize our human limitations, but I also believe deep in my heart that by God’s sufficient grace his power is made perfect in our weakness. I aim to acknowledge my limited emotional bandwidth while asking and trusting the Lord to do a supernatural work in me. Even if having a heart that feels deeply for suffering and sinful people causes my symptoms to flare, I pray to trust my faithful Creator who knows I am but dust.
So I end my thoughts on this beautiful reminder that our true identity is in being a child of God, adopted by Him through the work of His Son. I celebrate this grace with all you, sisters of SRT!
Amen!!
Beautifully said. Thank you for sharing your thoughts!
My reflection is this: I am the daughter of God and an heir to His love, compassions and laws. I wish to continually follow His laws and do my best to stay on path. I’ve lost my way several times on my journey to know Christ and I want that pattern to stop. No more broken promises. If I am going to be consistent with anything in my life (I struggle with consistency), it will be with Christ Jesus. I am an heir thanks to Jesus Christ who was persecuted, died on the cross between two thieves and was buried and rose from the dead for our salvation. How could I NOT be consistent? Praise to Jesus Christ our Lord. I am in love.
I love how our community has taken up the BUT GOD… phrase, I guess started by Tina and repeated by many. If I can’t remember a Bible verse in the moment of discouragement or confusion, maybe I can remember BUT GOD… as a short hand for His love, redemption, His good and His victory in the end. Thank you, sisters for all your insights.
I can never wrap my head around the fact that there are so so many people in the world, and so many great creations, and yet God knows me by name. And not only that, he knows ME more than I myself probably ever will.
Amen!
V.25-32 stood out to me in the reading this morning. Usually I read the Old Testament through the lens of “try harder” and “strive for the goal,” and I forget to incorporate New Testament realities. So, conscious that I do that I read the assigned verses for the day and something stood out to me. I prefer the ESV translation and v.32 is translated as, “I will run in the way of your commandments when you enlarge my heart!” which to me implies that my heart needs to be enlarged first before I can run in the way of His commandments. But in the footnotes it says you could translate this verse as saying, “I will run in the way of your commandments for you set my heart free.” And when I looked at Galatians 4 again it says that we have been redeemed from under the law so that we might be adopted as children of God and because we are His children He has sent His Spirit into our hearts, crying, “Abba! Father!” (v.5,6) And I remembered that where the Spirit of the Lord is there is freedom (2 Cor. 3:17). So, basically I can obey His word and follow it because my heart is already free; I have the Spirit. That is my reality, not any of this striving, etc. I feel this kind of lines up with the devotional. How am I defining myself, as a beloved child of God, already full of the Spirit and able to follow Him because He has/is changing my heart or as someone who still hasn’t quite measured up, who has to do the thing before the other thing will happen?
Finding our value in Christ is so important, but I also find that feeling small in his vast Creation is important too and not to be resisted.
Yes, Janie and Rachel from Texas. I concur with your thoughts— to mourn a loved one should be more tragic than to mourn the loss of many nameless people we do not know. Both should obviously be saddening, but we don’t mourn the loss of motor vehicle accident death victims, or those lost to cancer annually in the same way that we would a loved one. That does not say that those people are less valuable (at all!), but that we cannot feel the tangible loss of their life as personally. As someone above noted, the A tragic and evil incident like the holocaust is slightly different as it was targeted, intentional harm to an innocent people groups. That shakes us, as it should.
The verbs really stood out to me in today’s reading (and yesterday’s as I was rereading this morning). For lack of a better way…I’ll put GOD’S WORK IN ALL CAPS, and ours in print.
O.T. Joshua 1:6-8 Be strong and courageous, observe carefully, do not turn, meditate on God’s instructions… PROSPERITY AND SUCCESS.
IN GOD-we can…(Psalm 119:17-32)
GOD, DEAL GENEROUSLY-I will live and keep your word.
OPEN MY EYES-I contemplate your instruction.
TAKE INSULT AND CONTEMPT AWAY FROM ME-your decrees are my delight and counsel.
GIVE ME LIFE THROUGH YOUR WORD-I told you about my life-YOU ANSWERED ME.
TEACH ME. HELP ME UNDERSTAND-I can meditate on your wonders.
I am weary-STRENGTHEN ME THROUGH YOUR WORD, KEEP ME FROM DECEIT & GIVE ME INSTRUCTION.
I chose, I set before me, I cling, I pursue-YOU BROADEN MY UNDERSTANDING
All because, (Galatians 4:4-7)when the time came to completion, GOD SENT HIS SON TO REDEEM US, TO ADOPT US AS SONS AND DAUGHTERS-no longer slaves-HEIRS
This morning, even before my devotions I spent some time in worship… (songs in ALL CAPS)
IT’S A BEAUTIFUL DAY, by Jamie Grace (Thank you Lord)
YOU SAY, by Lauren Daigle. (It is what You Say about us Lord that matters…may we hear, live, and believe in the power of your love and light, shining out for all to see.)
YOU KNOW ME BETTER, by Stars Go Dim (These words Lord…the way that You see me. Oh my Loving God, I am who you say I am, praise God!)
BE THOU MY VISION, by Selah (Thou and Thou only, my Lord and my God).
Blessings sisters, in Christ Jesus.
Happy Birthday DORIS.. Blessings, Blessings,Blessings being prayed over you dear Sister in Christ..
Wear your crown today… an absolutely great day to put it on!!!!❤❤
Thank you Tina!
Rachel from Texas, I completely agree with you. My grief for the loss of many who I don’t know will never be the same as my sorrow for the loss of a loved one. That doesn’t mean I “selectively value” human life. That part did not sit well with me.
My now is better than my then
My future is better than my now
All because He has given me life. Today is my birthday and my thoughts this morning have been, thank God for the 66 years He has given me but those years can’t compare to what He has in store for me.
Eyes haven’t seen , ears haven’t heard , neither have it entered into the heart of man , the things God hath prepared for them that love Him.
(2 Corinthians 1:9)
Happy Birthday!
Oh, how I needed this reading! I have been SO confused lately by all the bad things happening in this world, and especially our country, lately. I am an overthinker and all the sadness and mistrust and fear and rebellion going on today has had me thinking (again and again) about all the sadness, betrayal and hurt in my past. I believe I’ve even started to overthink my overthinking! But God…
But God has chosen me (me!) as his beloved child! I am loved! I am beloved! Last night, I wept as I realized that even though God is bigger than everything, His hand is the perfect size to hold mine, and His arms could reach all the way around me to hug me and hold me and keep me safe as His own child.
Or in John’s words the one Jesus loves. For we are all theme he loves, the lost lamb He went after, loved enough to forgive, restore, die for. Oh Lord dissolve all illusions and let us dwell in your Truth. It struck me this morning the million deaths versus one. I don’t believe unless we have constantly been surrounded by death we can fathom such mass death. It is overwhelming, but I feel and have felt such sorrow for those who suffered the holocaust, those who survived and had to live through such horror. I can’t even fathom it, it is so heavy. I don’t think of them as statistics. May God give us eyes to see and His heart for all those who need them as each one is the one He is chasing after with unconditional redemptive holy love. Praise Jesus Sisters, He sees us each and every one. And a call out to my beloved niece Audra, you are beautiful and such a blessing. May your day be filled with singing and His joy.
Morning dear SRT ladies. I found it hard to connect this passage with the reflection. Anyone else?
Also, I’m not sure about the idea presented in the beginning. I know I would be devastated if I lost someone very close to me: a dear friend, my parents, a sibling, my HUSBAND OR DAUGHTER. I can’t imagine the grief and sorrow. I don’t think those are wrong. It’s personal connection to people that we miss when they die. Memories past and ones in the future we won’t have. Of course I believe in the sanctity of life, in all persons. I am sad of all the people who are suffering and dying from COVID-19, but my grief is different…. I am praying for an end, for relief, for a cure, for treatment, for protection. Maybe he is just trying to bring that into perspective for us readers. But I don’t think it’s wrong to respond outwardly in different ways. Just some thoughts.
I don’t feel that the author was saying that we are wrong to feel more grief for our loved ones dying than for people we don’t know. I think he’s just saying that, while we may not personally feel grief for a million strangers, each human life is precious to God. And that we, personally, are precious to him even if we may sometimes feel as though we are a statistic.
As far as it’s connection to the passage, one verse that really stood out to me was verse 28 (of Psalm 119) – “I am weary from grief; strengthen me through your word.” I think we are all feeling some sense of grief right now, whether it’s for a person or a missed opportunity or for normalcy, etc – and this verse was a reminder to me that God sees my grief, he sees my hurt, he sees my confusion. And it matters to him.
Hi Rachel, I feel the disconnect too. But I guess some devotionals will speak more to me than others. I choose to just soak myself in todays Psalm reading, because the passages speak directly to my soul.
Agreed, Natasha! I loved how you used “soak.” I wrote down key words spoken about God’s commands: delight, truth, gracious, etc. I’m praying that my mind and heart soak up His Word!
I too felt a bit disconnected. It might be an opportunity to reflect on it more, or like the Brandon Heath song says
“Give me your eyes for just one second
Give me your eyes so I can see,
Everything that I keep missing,
Give your love for humanity.
Give me your arms for the broken-hearted
The ones that are far beyond my reach.
Give me Your heart for the ones forgotten.
Give me Your eyes so I can see.”
The advertising slogan read “You’ve come a long way, baby!”. And so it has been for me when I briefly think back to who I was B.C.(Before Christ). That was then. This is now. I dare not linger too long back there for Satan would love for me to dwell on those times. Satan would love for me to re-engage in guilt and shame. BUT GOD alone defines me. From the very moment I accepted Him as Savior and Lord, the old was cast off and the new put on. It is permanent and indestructible. I know Whose I am and He in His Word reminds me time and time again. No looking back. No looking back.
Hello friends, last Wednesday I asked for prayer as I had just lost my job and really desired for my tears to be turned to joy for my father. You all have some powerful prayers! I was able to turn the corner and was given a “spur of the moment” opportunity to speak a blessing over President Trump at my dad‘s celebration. I am sharing this because God hears the prayers of these SRT women! You all should be encouraged to keep on praying! And while I have your ear & I know you pray such powerful prayers may I add a Godly husband to the list? :-) Love you all and pray for you too! So grateful for this group!!
https://www.foxnews.com/politics/trump-awards-the-presidential-medal-of-freedom-to-jim-ryun-a-former-kansas-congressman-and-3-time-olympian
This is awesome. So glad your prayer for joy was answered. ❤️
How incredible that video is, Catharine. Well done and God bless you and your family.
Psalm 119:24 (LEB): Your testimonies are my delight, my counselors.
Remembering who and whose I am is always vital, but especially in this season that overflows with distractions. He is the Counselor. God must be my first go-to, not my mom or friend group, Him.
Wow, Tina, just wow … reading your post was almost like reading an initial draft of my own list
although it is missing some of my ugliest labels, so painful and shameful to even think of, but that was me, then. My heart physically hurts to think back to those times, the darkest of days, the darkest of years. But God … THANK YOU for not giving up on me! And Tina, one thing missing from your “now” list … amazing blessing to your SRT sisters! ❤️
Agree!! You are both amazing blessings to your SRT sisters!
As Brennan Manning has written, “Define yourself radically as one beloved by God. This is the true self. Every other identity is an illusion.”
These have been my titles, labels, ‘my illusions’, I have carried since birth..
Daughter.
Niece.
Christened.
Sister.
Friend.
Student.
Mum to Julee.
Wife.
Neighbour.
Cleaner.
Divorced.
Adulterer.
Mum to Michael.
Auntie.
Partner to.. for 18 years.
Mum to Charlie.
Chef.
Friend.
Grandma.
Grieving, heartbroken, confused mum.
Lost.
Broken.
Baptized.
Orphan.
Grieving heartbroken friend.
Lost.
Holding on..
And the list goes on…
BUT GOD..
Today I do not just write it as I often do, today I write it boldly..
BUT GOD..
(Oh If I could bold it more)
Every fibre if my being Praises God that though, I have been, and probably still am, in some cases, I am not defined or known as these by Father God..
I am Tina,
Beloved Child of God.
Made in His image.
Held in high regard.
Loved for ME.
Chosen.
Forgiven.
Free.
Blessed.
Sung over with joy.
Hope-filled.
Spirit filled.
Forever changed.
I matter.
And this list goes on…
To God , I am, we are, so so much more than the list we have, as to who we are or must be..
We simply are looking at an esteemed crown of God’s creation, a beloved child of God, and a privileged heir of everything.
Thank you Father God. Thank you.
THANK YOU.
AMEN.
Wear your crowns well and with purpose today sisters..
YOU are a Beloved child of the Most High God..
Hugs and love across the pond..❤
No truer words are spoken. In every situation in life, there is a “BUT GOD” moment. Our challenge is to accept it, to be able to follow His good and perfect will.
Beautifully written and speaks truth!!! A pastor in our town had a sermon at the beginning of our COVID quarantine that was titled BUT GOD! I love this and feel as if I see it everywhere now. So good. So true!
This really touched me. Thank you for sharing
Beautiful. Thank you for sharing
Melissa V. – I just wanted to say welcome, and you are right on time! God has incredible things in store for you, and not one moment of your last forty years will be wasted. God will use your experiences in a beautiful way, I just know it!
“And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose” (Romans 8:28).
“For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do” (Ephesians 2:10).
Blessings to you, sister!
I am adding to my thoughts above. I have let my thoughts and other people define me a lot of times. If I did something that I or others deemed as good, then I can feel good. May I let God’s Word and truth define me. I thought of this song: https://youtu.be/jLHE4P-B2FA
Amazing and humbling and precious
How often do we think like this? As Brennan Manning has written, “Define yourself radically as one beloved by God. This is the true self. Every other identity is an illusion.” Wow! God and His love are truly amazing! May we understand who we are in Christ.May that truth bring joy, freedom from lies, and the ability and the desire to love others. May our lives including our speech, actions, and motives draw people to want to know about Jesus.