Your Story Matters
“From his abundance, we have all received one gracious blessing after another. For the law was given through Moses, but God’s unfailing love and faithfulness came through Jesus Christ. No one has ever seen God. But the unique One, who is himself
John 1:16-18 NLTGod , is near to the Father’s heart. He has revealed God to us.”
You matter. John 1:1-18 tells us why. Everything was created through God from the very beginning. And through that creation, God reveals his heart. There is no part of creation he does not see. There is not a single person he does not hear. The light of the world was given to all of us, and that Light knows us.
I wonder what your heart longs for? We all seem to be searching for the next thing that will make life better. Sometimes it feels like we are searching in vain. The things you desire may seem impossible to obtain, but the want of them consumes you. It reminds me of Thorin Oakenshield in Tolkien’s, The Hobbit.
Wide-eyed, he frantically searches for his treasure. Nothing else matters. The Arkenstone holds value above anything and anyone. He trips over a jeweled chalice and cusses when his hand is cut on the edge of a diamond. In his frustration, he throws a handful of gold across the treasure chamber, once again scanning for his treasure. It is nowhere to be found. Darkness engulfs him amidst the glittering cavern. Light from numerous torches contagiously reflects throughout the room. Thorin Oakenshield does not see it. His obsession blinds him.
The one thing you desire has power. It rules your thoughts, your emotions, and your actions. You muddle through the mundane and mindlessly fulfill your obligations. Yet your soul is longing for something that seems impossible to possess. Who has not felt like this at some point or the other? Especially during the pandemic! Suspicion tells me there is something important to notice about these desires.
The Arkenstone reflected light, and its value was beyond comprehension. In the mind of Thorin, it was the treasure above all treasures. This was the jewel that would crown him King under the Mountain. In this story, I see a longing for worth and belonging. When I read John 1, my heart swells with joy. Perhaps it is because I enjoy poetic language, but I believe it is so much more.
Jesus, the true light, or dare I say our greatest treasure, came into the world he created so we could share in this light. He brought us near to the Father’s heart and offered us the opportunity to become sons and daughters of Abba, our Lord. Created in his image and invited to share in his glory and riches, He offers us the Kingdom of Heaven.
What glory? What riches? You may wonder, as you look at your current circumstances. The grief and uncertainty of the current season may be engulfing you. As you ponder the words of John, what may God be inviting you to consider? The invitation to be a child of God might feel exciting for some, but for some, it feels scary. We all need guides when we feel adrift, or as in Thorin’s case, a friendly hobbit. According to the Word, we are all brothers and sisters. The eternal family to which we belong is full of wisdom and compassion. They are often the ones that will be a light in the darkness. These persons could be a friend, pastor, counselor, spiritual director, or mentor. Only you know who you need.
“You have received one gracious blessing after the other.”
John 1:16 par
God’s gifts surround us. Sometimes circumstances blind us, but as I have worked with people in the darkest places, I see
Jesus came not to condemn us through the law, but to offer his unfailing love and faithfulness.
John 1:17 par
As you draw near the light, the light will reflect through your life. You are the beloved daughter or son of the King of Kings. You belong to his Kingdom and his glory can be found in you. Every part of your life matters to God. You are his treasure and his delight. He invites each of you to engage every day with him. What does your invitation say today?
(For a guided meditation of John 1:1-18 please check out our new YouTube Channel https://youtube.com/channel/UCs09ki4BW2fFqEETisuTgwg)