Living blessed...

How precious is your steadfast love, O God!  All people may take refuge in the shadow of your wings. 
​~ Psalm 36: 7 

One of the things that happens so soon after Christmas is that Jesus grows up.  Because we don't have the snapshots of birthdays, or stories of what Jesus was like as a toddler, we quickly find him to be twelve years old in the temple, and then before you know it, Mary is convincing guests at a wedding to "Do as he asks," as water is turned into wine.

Throughout all the moments of Jesus, we do, however, discover that he is blessed.  When Jesus is baptized in the Jordan, a voice from above announces, "You are my Son, the Beloved; my blessing rests on you."

It seems that with these words, the blessing is spoken into life.  From this point forward, whether he was being blamed or praised for something, he held tight to this blessing.  

As Jesus shares, he came not into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world.  To bless those that live, and to provide that blessing to each of us. 

Sometimes in all the noise of this world, we forget that this blessing has been spoken over us as well.  Jesus came not to just open our hearts, but also our ears to God's voice.  To the words, "You are my beloved daughter, or son, and my blessing is upon you."

When we can hear the voice of God, trust in it, and always remember it, especially when we struggle, we can live our lives as God's blessed children.  It always opens our lives to find that blessing in others.  

You are God's child.  Live in that blessing.  

Stay in God's grip!

G. Todd Williams (c) 2019