Pause

In the movie Forrest Gump, we hear that life is like a box of chocolates. “You never know what you’re gonna get.”

Life has its ups and downs. Not many things are guaranteed. Batters strike out. Pitchers give up the long ball. Our world has in it words like “cancer,” “failure,” “unsafe,” and “it’s over."

The uncertainty of life raises the question of whether there is anything certain. Thankfully, we do have the promise that God will care for the flock. Give your ear to the truth of God’s presence and the promise of an eternal tomorrow.

Listen

At that time the festival of the Dedication took place in Jerusalem. It was winter, and Jesus was walking in the temple, in the portico of Solomon. So the Jews gathered around him and said to him, “How long will you keep us in suspense? If you are the Messiah, tell us plainly.”

John 10:22-24

Think

Life is filled with so many questions. How many times do you get asked “What will be your major at college?” or “What are you going to be when you grow up?” These questions and many like them really have at their core the question, “Who are you?” These are questions of identity.

Jesus is in Jerusalem during a festival. The city is crowded. Jesus is at the temple and people are crowding around him. They are like the pesky aunt or uncle with a thousand questions who will not leave you alone, but has to hear what you’re going to be. The people want to know whether Jesus thinks he is the Messiah or not.

Even God Incarnate had to deal with identity questions.

So whether you want to be a rocket scientist, teacher, engineer, minister, or something totally different – if you know what you want to be at all – you are ultimately God’s child through Jesus Christ.

Jamie Mackey

Pray

God, grant me the peace of knowing that I am your child. My goals, my ambitions, my fears, my longings find comfort in your hands. Amen.

Go

Go in the assurance of God’s presence;
Go in being God’s child;
Go in the strength of God’s hand;
Go in the hope of the eternal tomorrow;
Go in the ability to speak words of life into others.