Man, when I started looking into the promise I was going to write about today, there are already too many. I figured out this morning there are ~40 days until Pentecost with us being ten days into Easter. I think I can manage to write a post a day. However, please be forgiving if I don’t keep up, because well, life…today’s promise:
“Do not fear, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by name; you are mine.” (Isaiah 43:1 NAB)
I know, I know. Aa obvious one, but the promise of God saying to us: you are MINE, would not get out of my head. I thought of toddlers whose unfiltered possessiveness is declared often over their things: mine, mine, mine.
A toy snatched from the hands of siblings: Mine. As the toddler, runs off with their toy, so no one else can grab it back.
A stuffed bunny hugged tight, so that grabbing hands can’t take it: Mine.
And even as adults, if someone’s about to drink out of your cup: That’s mine.
Or in other cases, a shrill cry from another room causes adults to look at each other to see who that cry belongs to: That’s one of mine, followed by mom or dad going to see what the problem is.
Today, the Lord says to us: Mine. He reaches for us, holds us close, claims us before anyone else claims us, comes to us to see why we are crying. You are mine.
I have lived a lot of my life believing I am only wanted if I provide value, usually in the form of hard work or gifts. This perception of my reality has caused me to put work before people and relationships and has caused me to buy unnecessarily. It hinders my ability to receive love well from others, to receive love without some kind of reciprocation.
But today, God reminds me I have nothing to fear because He has redeemed me. He tells me: stop trying so hard. I called you into existence for a reason. I gave you a name. I claim you as belonging to me.
He did this before our birth and He continues to call us every day.
Today, I want you to imagine God holding you tight and saying: Mine.
Can you close your eyes and feel that gentle loving God holding you close? Mine.
Let Him pull back and look into your eyes and hold your face in His hands. And let Him say to you with wonder: Mine.
I want you to feel confident that He is going to be so protective of anyone or anything that tries to take you from His arms. He is going to be checking in on your heart when He hears its cries. He is going to keep you close. He is going to seek you if you are lost.
Mine.
You only need to let Him possess you like that. Let Him claim you. Let Him hold you and carry you and keep you close. Let Him find you. Let Him love you.
Rest in His promise: You are mine.
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