You are Special

Vertical and horizontal lines

Today I saw horizontal lines and vertical lines in my mind's eye which then moved me to reflect on the vertical wooden structure Jesus hung on, with His arms outstretched on the horizontal wood. It is totally significant and intentional that Jesus died this way. Ancient Jewish law dictated that anyone who committed a crime and was thus hung on a (wooden) pole to die was cursed by God (see Old Testament book Deuteronomy 21:23). Apostle Paul quotes from this passage in his letter to the church in Galatia: "Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law by becoming a curse for us as it is written 'Cursed is anyone who is hung on a pole' (Galatians 3:1). So, basically, Paul is saying that Jesus was our sacrifice, redeeming humanity from that curse of the law by literally being cursed on our behalf. What should we be cursed for, if it wasn't for Jesus hung on the 'pole'? Our sins. This is why Christians declare, with gratitude, that Jesus took our sins on the cross. This in no way means we think we don't sin. It is the opposite. We know we sin and we are so grateful to God for saving us from the curse which means death. Instead, we are now offered eternal life. No wonder we are so grateful!

A rocking chair

I saw an image of a rocking chair. We all instinctively know the calming benefits or a rocking chair, with a lullaby effect for young and old alike. It apparently stimulates the brain's vestibular system which manages our balance and relaxation. It may also help with general recuperation and rehabilitation and with the rocking motion taking pressure off the spine, it encourages better blood flow. It may replicate the rhythmic swaying motion in the womb and a regular heart beat. Through Prophet Isaiah 66:13, we read God's words to us, "As a mother comforts her child, so will I comfort you;...". God represents both Mother and Father. God wants to be with each one of us, relaxing us and giving us life energy.

God's Love

Today I have the single word LOVE to share in today's Devotional. We all know that that word can be bandied around insincerely and has different nuances of meaning and significance, such as 'I love my children' in contrast to 'I love strawberries and cream'. The Greeks have many different words for different types of love, such as for brotherly love, unconditional love, romantic love etc. Today, I believe, that God wants you to focus on the fact that He loves YOU. 1 Corinthians 13:4-8a is often read at weddings as signifying the love between a newly wed couple. On reading the verses now, concentrate on the words as God's love applying personally to you. "Love is patient, love is kind, it does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud, it does not dishonour others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the Truth. It always protects. It always trusts, always hopes. It always perseveres. Love never fails." Be convinced of God's love for you, whatever your current circumstances look like right now. Remember that though roots grow underground in darkness, a plant does burst forth in due course.

The magical Sintra Micro Climate

Today I was reminded of the micro climate of the beautiful area of Sintra, near Lisbon, Portugal. It is often shrouded in a thick sea fog making it appear magical, because of all the abundant majestic foliage and picturesque palaces it engulfs whilst, meanwhile, everywhere nearby could be baking under a cloudless sky. I may sound like a marketing leaflet but it truly can be stunning. It sometimes seems like fairyland or the setting for magical princesses and if you dismiss my descriptions as nonsense Sintra continues to exist. Similarly, we can consider that God, God's Kingdom, Heaven, Eternity don't exist but that doesn't mean they do not exist. In not believing, the loss is ours. At least seek as there are so many of us who believe and do not let go of our belief.

You are Special

I am reminded of a Christian allegorical story, "You are Special", about a wooden community, in which the wooden people cover each other in golden stars when they think they have a talent or look good. If someone has seemingly failed or is not looking good, they are given grey dots. One female wooden character had no stars or dots and the protagonist in this story learns that it is because she makes daily visits to her Maker who reassures her that he made her with love and with no mistakes. Furthermore, the Maker emphasises that the value of his creations should not be dictated by the stickers, whether good or bad/ criticism or praise. The author of this story is encouraging us to understand that, similarly, God loves us unconditionally. As Apostle Paul declared, "Am I now trying to win the approval of human beings, or of God? Or am I trying to please people? If I were still trying to please people I would not be a servant of Christ" (Galatians 1:10). In John 12:26 we read that God honours those who honour Him. As such, we don't need man's honour.