You are God’s beloved, His child (Deuteronomy 33:12; 1 John 3:1). God desires that the truth of His love for you be your center. Outside influences of culture and the need for approval should no longer control you. Your identity is firmly grounded not in your own efforts but in God’s love (John 17:20-26). You were created by God and you are called good. You are made in the likeness of God and reflect God’s image. Although this image has been distorted through sin done by us and to us, God has not forgotten who you are and whom He made you to be. God knew you before you were born, named you before you were even formed in your mother’s womb. In love, God has chosen you, and the Holy Spirit works ceaselessly to restore the unique God-image you alone can reflect. You see not only this unique belovedness in yourselves but also recognize it in others. (Colossians 2:6-12)
Scripture:
• Spend some time slowly reading and meditating on 1 John 3:1 and John 17:23,26.
Reflection:
• Jesus prayed to His Father concerning us: “that you may love them as you have loved me…so that your love for me may live in them.” Does it seem outrageous that God would love you as much as He loves Jesus?
• Do you define yourself as a beloved child of God? If not, why not? If so, why?
• Genesis 1:26 and 31: Then God said, “let us make humankind in our image, according to our likeness…” God saw everything that he had made, and indeed, it was very good. What does it mean to made in the image of God and that, before you have done anything, God has pronounced you as “good”? This says more about God than about you. Do you view yourself as God’s handiwork, made to reflect His love?
Practice:
• Prayerfully meditate on Luke 15:11-31. Read the story of the prodigal son multiple times and imagine you are that lost son coming home to his father. What are the Father’s actions towards you, what are your feelings, and how do you want to live your life now as a result of that homecoming? Use your imagination to place yourself in the midst of the story. If you are a visual person google Rembrandt’s Return of the Prodigal Son painting to experience the homecoming.
