We Are God's Tattoo!

One of my favorite scriptures is Isaiah 49:15-16 that says, '[And the Lord answered] Can a woman forget her nursing child, that she should not have compassion on the son of her womb? Yes, they may forget, yet I will not forget you. Behold, I have indelibly imprinted (tattooed a picture of) you on the palm of each of My hands...(Amplified Bible)

I've always had a fascination with tattoos. It's so intriguing to me how people decide what they're going to put on their body that will be there forever. They're so popular now you see them on all types of people. Some of them look home made or at least they came from an inexperienced artist, but some are really beautiful. Of course there's always a problem with tattooing someone's name on your body. People fall in and out of love over the least little thing. So what if that person isn't in your life years from now? Do you have it tattooed over with something else?

When I read that scripture in Isaiah I don't have to wonder if God will change his mind about me. I don't worry that he might not always love me. I know I'll always be a part of him and he'll always remember me and care about me. A mother is more likely to forget her nursing child that God is likely to forget us. It's not going to happen. We're indelibly engraved on his hands and in his heart. What a comforting thought.

Friend of God

We sing a song at church called 'I Am A Friend Of God'. I love that song and I love the idea of being God's friend. James 2:23 says "Abraham believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness," and he was called God's friend. In John 15 he says, "This is My commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you. Greater love has no one than this, than to lay down one’s life for his friends. You are My friends if you do whatever I command you. No longer do I call you servants, for a servant does not know what his master is doing; but I have called you friends, for all things that I heard from My Father I have made known to you. You did not choose Me, but I chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit, and that your fruit should remain, that whatever you ask the Father in My name He may give you. These things I command you, that you love one another." To be His friend we have to love one another. One of Christ's two commandments. Of course we know we're His children but being a friend in addition to being His child is even more intimate, an even more secure relationship. It's almost overwhelming to think that Almighty God, the Creator of the Universe would be so mindful of us that He would want to be our friend. Friends talk to each other and confide in each other. Friends think alike. Friends are loyal and dependable and they support each other. God wants to have that kind of relationship with us. We just have to do our part.

Life's a Blur

My grandson Jack likes for me to take his picture running as fast as he can so it just looks like a big blur. Sometimes my life feels exactly like that. We fill our lives with so much "stuff" sometimes God gets our leftover time, a quick prayer here and there and a short devotion at the beginning or end of the day. We're told to occupy til he comes and there's so much to do, good things to do, we don't want to waste any time. Psalm 46:10 says "Be still, and know that I am God: I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth!" . The Message puts it this way, "Step out of the traffic! Take a long, loving look at me, your High God, above politics, above everything." In Galatians 6:9 (The Message) it says, "So let's not allow ourselves to get fatigued doing good. " It's time to take some time outs during our day to focus on God, to listen to His voice. It's hard for Him to get our attention when we're constantly moving, living our lives in a blur. If we stop and listen to what He has to say, really listen, He will speak to our hearts. Be content and know that He is aware of all our needs even before we ask. Wait patiently and allow Him to work in us and through us. It may take weeks, months, and even years to complete his work. But don't worry He has perfect timing!