I knew Jesus as a little girl. Relatives report that I, at age four, spoke of Him as a friend.
Growing up brought trials. But I knew I could always count on God. I saw Him as a loving Father, always caring for me.
Then, in my early thirties, came a shocking cancer diagnosis. I knew God would carry me through treatment, and He did. (I am blessed to be eleven years out and cancer-free.) He also didn’t waste that experience.
One hot July evening, I stared out our bedroom window. I had somewhat recovered from that week’s chemo treatment and dreaded Neulasta shot. That day I could stand and even walk painlessly to the window.
Chemo fog clouded my mind. Frustration overwhelmed me as I struggled to string words together to pray.
I stood at the window, gazing up into the night sky. I stared at those tiny twinkling stars so far away. I imagined how the earth must appear from that viewpoint. How my house would be too tiny to be seen. That I in my window would be invisible, insignificant.
My thoughts drifted to all the people on this earth and my mind imagined God in heaven, seemingly far away with those stars, looking down lovingly at His creation, but, oh, so far away.
It was at that moment, sick and tired, weak and worn out, that I was truly humbled.
I knew God as a Father, Jesus as a friend. And those associations are completely true.
But in that moment, exhausted and spent from drugs attacking and resetting my immune system, I was, for the very first time, cognizant of how insignificant I am to the world.
How not many know or care of my existence. Regardless how I am doing the sun will rise again, the birds will sing and life continues on with or without me.
And yet, the God who created that sun and those birds knows me. He carefully created me for great plans. He sees my current plight as well as my heart’s hurts. He knew that that day I was truly at the end of me.
I absolutely needed Him to make it through another day. I needed Him as never before. I was humbled before Him in a new and deeply profound way.
He isn’t just a loving Father who we can trust completely. Yes, it’s true, He will never fail us and His love knows no bounds.
He is God.
Creator.
He holds everything in the palm of His hand.
While from heaven I imagine we appear as a car grounded below an airplane at 10,000 feet; He knows each and every one of His children. And loves us immensely, boundlessly, without reservation.
No matter I am too weak to do anything for Him.
No matter I can’t adequately communicate to Him.
He knows the depths of despair in my soul and the breath of love and fear and awe I have for Him in my heart.
It’s with that kind of humility, we need to approach Him today.
Today, Jesus willingly went to a criminal’s death so you and I might know God the Father as the loving daddy and Jesus as a dear brother and best friend.
Because Jesus willingly bridged the chasm my sin created, I can crawl into the Father’s lap. He will gladly right me in my off-kilter world.
Even though I am one of billions, He sees me. He hears me. And He catches my tears.
If you have always known God as a loving Father and Jesus as a dear friend, I’m so glad. Sincerely.
But maybe like me, you need reminded of how humble we ought to be.
How blessed are we that the creator of this world knows our lives intimately and chooses to call us each a child of His.
How He chose to die, to willingly ransom our lives – can we ever wrap our minds around the depth of His love?
Today we can approach God because Jesus humbled Himself to a death He didn’t deserve so we might experience a life we haven’t earned. A life with Him while alive on this earth. An eternal life in heaven when our bodies die.
It’s called grace.
Sweet, amazing grace.
No matter what you’ve done or haven’t done.
No matter how hardened your heart has become.
Will you try with me to humble ourselves today?
Contemplate how large and great God is.
Consider how much He loves you.
John 3:16, “God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life.” (NIV)
Maybe like me, you need to humbly approach Him, asking for forgiveness, His guidance, and His love. Maybe, like me, you need reminded of just how to humble ourselves before Him.
Prayer: Dear Heavenly Father, Thank You for loving me. Thank You for loving me so much You never let me go. You sent Your son to rescue and restore me. I am truly humbled by Your great love, may I always remember how great You are. Open my eyes to who You are, may I truly see You. In Jesus’ name, Amen.