There are no conditions on God’s love or patience. In fact, nowhere in Scripture are there limits on God’s love for us. God doesn’t have caveats like “You get this many chances” or “You can only screw up 300 times.” What’s more, in the parable of the lost sheep (Luke 15:1-7), Jesus says that “there will be more rejoicing in heaven over one sinner who repents than over 99 righteous persons who do not need to repent.”
I can be hard-headed about who I am, forgetting that my identity is more than just what can be seen and experienced. Before I was born, God knew me, forming my identity even then. “Child of God” is the true identity I wear as I make my way in the world.
As a daily meditation, I ask myself: Who do you believe you are? Who do you say you are? How do you know who you are? Who do you want to be? After each question, I say: God called me by name, specially and specifically. I am God’s own daughter, always and irrevocably.
This message is excerpted from “What makes us worthy?” by Karris Golden in the January/February 2023 Gather magazine. Today is the 14th Sunday after Pentecost. Today is Holy Cross Day.
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