How’s it Going?
My friends who don’t live in the South may not do what many of us southerners do when we walk past someone in the hall, at the store, on a walk or just about anywhere. If we make contact, we might just blurt out, “How are you doing today?” Or some similar question. I wish we could say we are always sincere, and maybe we are, but we don’t usually wait for the answer before we nod and move on.
But imagine one day someone responds to your pleasantries and starts a conversation. There you are with a total stranger, and they begin telling you how they are doing. They were touched by your question, so they introduce themselves. You are next. The question is coming: “What about you? What do you do?” What will you say?
You probably won’t start with your birth narrative and where your grandparents originated. My guess is you will start with saying something about what you do. We often define ourselves by our occupation or possibly by our family status. “My husband and I…” “Our family enjoys…” We might use geography to introduce ourselves: “I’m from the big city but now enjoy living in a small town.”
While all of that is true, our identities have much deeper roots. In fact, there are multiple references in scripture that tell us that God knew us before we were born. In Isaiah 44:2 we read, “Thus says the Lord who made you, who formed you from the womb.” Jeremiah begins in the first chapter, verse five, “Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, and before you were born I consecrated you; I appointed you a prophet to the nations.” And in Psalm 139 the psalmist declared, “For you formed my inward parts; you knitted me together in my mother’s womb. I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made. Wonderful are your works; my soul knows it very well.”
We don’t need to be preachy and start every conversation with a stranger by sharing our divine identity, but I think the more we understand who we are as children of the Almighty, the more we are likely to reflect his character and his love with those around us.
When we come to understand that before we were born God loved us and had a plan for us, we are more likely to see his plan being revealed in our work, in our family, and in all of our relationships.
In the middle of their exile, Isaiah wanted the people of Jerusalem and Judah to remember that while their idolatry and disobedience brought about their current situation, God was far from done with them. God had not abandoned them, and he will not abandon us either! Just as God promised to pour water on thirsty land, he promises to pour out his Spirit on all who come to him. Our identity and our source of life is found in Jesus! He is our rock, and there is no other like him.
Father, thank you for the reminder from your word that you have known us long before we were even born. Thank you for calling us by name and granting us the privilege of living each day as your children. Today we ask that your Holy Spirit guide us as we share your presence and your love with those around us. Thank you for providing our every need. We place our lives in your hands and ask that you use us for your glory today. In Jesus’ name, amen.
Your Time with God’s Word
Isaiah 44:1-8, 21-22, 24-28 ESV
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