Post by MIRIAM JACOB on Aug 2, 2007 11:07:25 GMT -5
August 31, 2006
Now there was leaning on Jesus’ bosom one of His disciples,
whom Jesus loved (John 13:23).
As we kick off our new CAN blog spot, designed to help writers and authors promote their work, as well as network with one another, I can’t help but think of the message our pastor brought to us on Sunday. He talked to us about our identity, asking first how we would describe ourselves, as well as how others would describe us.
I thought about that, and I have to admit that one of the first words that popped into my head was “writer,” and I suppose that’s a valid description. But is that who I am—or just what I do?
I then began to ask myself how others would describe me. My dad, who has gone on to be with the Lord, most often used the word “efficient” to describe me, and again, I suppose that’s a valid description—to a point anyway. Others have called me talented, intelligent, wise, and humble. (Not so sure how valid all those descriptions are, but thanks to those who said them.)
But all those nice words don’t really “identify” me.
And then I remembered the first word I ever heard God speak to my heart: “daughter.” That one word meant more to me than all the prizes and awards and accolades I’ve ever received. For I am so much more than a writer or a speaker; I’m a daughter of the very God of the universe. But even that isn’t all. There’s still more! I am a BELOVED DAUGHTER of God, and it truly doesn’t get any better than that, does it?
The apostle John always referred to himself in the third person when he wrote, usually calling himself the “other disciple.” But at the Last Supper, when he sat closer to Jesus than anyone else, so close that, as they reclined around the low table he leaned up against Jesus’ chest or bosom, he suddenly changed his self-identity from just another disciple to a disciple that Jesus loved. I believe he arrived at that realization because he was positioned to hear Jesus’ heartbeat, which is the key to understanding our true and eternal identity.
Any time we get sidetracked into thinking our identity centers around what we do—even if what we do has resulted in a string of bestsellers—it’s time to stop and spend some time leaning up against the bosom of God and listen to His heartbeat. When we do we will hear Him call us “son” or “daughter,” and we will come away with the understanding that we truly are the disciples that Jesus loves.
(C) KATHI MACIAS
www.kathimacias.com
Now there was leaning on Jesus’ bosom one of His disciples,
whom Jesus loved (John 13:23).
As we kick off our new CAN blog spot, designed to help writers and authors promote their work, as well as network with one another, I can’t help but think of the message our pastor brought to us on Sunday. He talked to us about our identity, asking first how we would describe ourselves, as well as how others would describe us.
I thought about that, and I have to admit that one of the first words that popped into my head was “writer,” and I suppose that’s a valid description. But is that who I am—or just what I do?
I then began to ask myself how others would describe me. My dad, who has gone on to be with the Lord, most often used the word “efficient” to describe me, and again, I suppose that’s a valid description—to a point anyway. Others have called me talented, intelligent, wise, and humble. (Not so sure how valid all those descriptions are, but thanks to those who said them.)
But all those nice words don’t really “identify” me.
And then I remembered the first word I ever heard God speak to my heart: “daughter.” That one word meant more to me than all the prizes and awards and accolades I’ve ever received. For I am so much more than a writer or a speaker; I’m a daughter of the very God of the universe. But even that isn’t all. There’s still more! I am a BELOVED DAUGHTER of God, and it truly doesn’t get any better than that, does it?
The apostle John always referred to himself in the third person when he wrote, usually calling himself the “other disciple.” But at the Last Supper, when he sat closer to Jesus than anyone else, so close that, as they reclined around the low table he leaned up against Jesus’ chest or bosom, he suddenly changed his self-identity from just another disciple to a disciple that Jesus loved. I believe he arrived at that realization because he was positioned to hear Jesus’ heartbeat, which is the key to understanding our true and eternal identity.
Any time we get sidetracked into thinking our identity centers around what we do—even if what we do has resulted in a string of bestsellers—it’s time to stop and spend some time leaning up against the bosom of God and listen to His heartbeat. When we do we will hear Him call us “son” or “daughter,” and we will come away with the understanding that we truly are the disciples that Jesus loves.
(C) KATHI MACIAS
www.kathimacias.com