Stay in God's Grip!
  • Home
  • Todd's Blog
  • Remember Me When
  • Contact

 While in God's Grip!

Being different...

4/25/2018

0 Comments

 
Picture
“While I was with them, I protected them in your name that you have given me. I guarded them, and not one of them was lost except the one destined to be lost, so that the scripture might be fulfilled. But now I am coming to you, and I speak these things in the world so that they may have my joy made complete in themselves. I have given them your word, and the world has hated them because they do not belong to the world, just as I do not belong to the world. I am not asking you to take them out of the world, but I ask you to protect them from the evil one. They do not belong to the world, just as I do not belong to the world. Sanctify them in the truth; your word is truth. As you have sent me into the world, so I have sent them into the world. And for their sake I sanctify myself, so that they also may be sanctified in truth.”
~ John 17:12 - 19

One thing I realize about having a relationship with God, is that each day at some point, I realize that I am not the same person I was a year ago, or for that matter, even a week ago!
​

Jesus seems to be encapsulating his ministry to God, letting God know that these friends of his, who have been following him, are no longer the same. They are no longer a part of the world, but of something much different. Because they have been with Jesus, he has been able to protect them from a variety of things, except for one of them, which had a role that had to be played out, they are part of a very special group.

Jesus talks of how special they are, and because they are special, he speaks of them as being sanctified.

One of the things that we often forget is that we ARE different than the world, but yet, it is a fine line that each of us must walk. To balance ourselves, and to remain hopeful, especially when we just can't seem to understand why some things are the way that they are. Even Jesus asks God to protect this sanctified group from evil, noting that this would be a challenge.

It's Jesus reminding each of us that we are indeed sanctified, and that being truthful, and speaking the truth, while remaining focused on what we have been called to do is what sets us apart.

Years ago I served on a committee that helped with the licensing of clergy within my faith tradition. I always loved hearing about what it was that caused the person to respond to the call of ministry. I always reminded folks that our role was not to judge whether the person deserved to be licensed, or for that matter, had some particular gift for ministry. It was our opportunity to watch as God sanctified the person for ministry, while the person found his or her way, and how we, as fellow followers could serve with and help to affirm their journey.

Our entire journey is about hope, while being reminded that we are God's children, sanctified and called to serve a higher purpose. I love knowing that we belong to God!
​
Stay in God's grip!

G. Todd Williams (c) 2018
0 Comments



Leave a Reply.

    Author

    Rev. G. Todd Williams lives in the Houston metro area and is a Hospice Chaplain at Essential Hospice, Webster, Texas, and is an ordained Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) pastor.

    He serves as the Stated Supply to Westminster Presbyterian Church, Galveston, Texas.

    His new book, "Remember Me When..." is available through Chalice Press.

    Archives

    August 2022
    June 2022
    May 2022
    March 2022
    February 2022
    December 2021
    July 2021
    May 2021
    April 2021
    March 2021
    February 2021
    January 2021
    December 2020
    November 2020
    October 2020
    September 2020
    August 2020
    July 2020
    June 2020
    May 2020
    April 2020
    March 2020
    February 2020
    January 2020
    December 2019
    November 2019
    October 2019
    September 2019
    August 2019
    July 2019
    June 2019
    May 2019
    April 2019
    March 2019
    February 2019
    January 2019
    December 2018
    November 2018
    October 2018
    September 2018
    August 2018
    July 2018
    June 2018
    May 2018
    April 2018
    March 2018
    February 2018
    January 2018
    December 2017
    November 2017
    October 2017
    September 2017
    August 2017
    July 2017
    June 2017
    May 2017
    April 2017
    March 2017
    February 2017
    January 2017

    RSS Feed

  • Home
  • Todd's Blog
  • Remember Me When
  • Contact