“God knew what he was doing from the very beginning. He decided from the outset to shape the lives of those who love him along the same lines as the life of his Son. The Son stands first in the line of humanity he restored. We see the original and intended shape of our lives there in him. After God made that decision of what his children should be like, he followed it up by calling people by name. After he called them by name, he set them on a solid basis with himself. And then, after getting them established, he stayed with them to the end, gloriously completing what he had begun. So, what do you think? With God on our side like this, how can we lose? If God didn’t hesitate to put everything on the line for us, embracing our condition and exposing himself to the worst by sending his own Son, is there anything else he wouldn’t gladly and freely do for us? And who would dare tangle with God by messing with one of God’s chosen? Who would dare even to point a finger? The One who died for us—who was raised to life for us!—is in the presence of God at this very moment sticking up for us. Do you think anyone is going to be able to drive a wedge between us and Christ’s love for us? There is no way! Not trouble, not hard times, not hatred, not hunger, not homelessness, not bullying threats, not backstabbing, not even the worst sins listed in Scripture:
They kill us in cold blood because they hate you.
We’re sitting ducks; they pick us off one by one.
None of this fazes us because Jesus loves us. I’m absolutely convinced that nothing—nothing living or dead, angelic or demonic, today or tomorrow, high or low, thinkable or unthinkable—absolutely nothing can get between us and God’s love because of the way that Jesus our Master has embraced us.” (Romans 8:29-39 MSG)
REFLECTION
It seems very clear that the Lord created me to abound in creativity. And part of that has included countless new ideas and visions. And while visions are important, our loving Lord has been (and is) teaching me how to surrender to the shaping and embrace Him in the unfolding process, making me more and more deeply aware of how Jesus our Master has embraced us.
The One who made us knows what we truly need to flourish and be fruitful, so let’s stay prayerful and guard our hearts with gratitude as we go forth in faith, hope and love…trusting the One who is love.
PRAYER POEM
My merciful and marvellous Maker, there is nothing that compares to You. You are the Maker of me and every living being I see. In the wonder and the waiting, grant me grace to fully embrace You in the glorious shaping.
