What a week. This past week and a half has felt more like several months to me. So much is going on personally in the Henderson house as well as with my job and with our student ministry that I start to find myself grasping for more stability. But in the midst of chaos I find comfort in my time with God.
At the beginning of the year I started a devotion called Jesus Calling. It is a wonderful devotional written as if Christ Himself is talking to you. How amazing to know God seeks that type of relationship with us? In the middle of my humanness Jesus wants to speak to me personally. He wants me to know of my worth, of His love for me. It’s so endearing but at the same time so mind boggling!
Take for instance this example. Several times a day I find myself either giving mental pep talks to get me through the day or trying to make light of a soon to be stressful moment. These musings have brought smiles to my face and make me lift my eyes to Heaven as if to check to see if Jesus is smiling too. I know He knew of and heard that thought. Does He smile at us when He shares a thought of joy with us? I’m comforted in thinking He does.
But that got me thinking more. God the Father, and therefore Christ, gazes upon each human being currently on Earth. He knows us and sees us all at the same time. While I am smiling others are crying, suffering, worried, doubting, and so much more. My God loves so much that He keeps watch over each of us every single second of every single day.
Wow. How great is God the Father? How awesome is His Son, Jesus Christ? To know Someone loves enough to smile with you, watch over you, comfort you, and…the ultimate wow factor…die for you is beyond comprehension. However, it’s truth. Jesus did it. Jesus loves. The next time you find yourself smiling at something you think is only a thought for you, remember that God is sharing it with you. Take joy in this little, yet precious, revelation. It will make those more difficult times when you’re camped out in God’s arms all the more surreal.
“May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in Him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.” (Romans 15:13)
Stephanie Henderson
Student CoPastor