“Let not the wise boast of their wisdom or the strong boast of their strength or the rich boast of their riches, but let the one who boasts boast about this: that they understand and know me, that I am the Lord, who exercises kindness, justice and righteousness on earth, for in these I delight,” declares the Lord. — Jeremiah 9:23-24
One of the greatest gifts in life is coming to know and understand the Living God. It is life changing to develop an ever-deepening friendship with God—who not only created the universe but made you with intention and purpose. God warns us that finding worth from our wisdom, strength or money will ultimately leave us empty. Our insight, good looks, youthfulness, influence—none of it lasts indefinitely and all of it can be lost in a moment. In contrast: no circumstance, person or power can take away our relationship with God—in this life or after death.
The more you know God personally the more you realize how valuable and loved you (and your neighbor) really are. You start to gain a sense of identity from your Creator, confidence in who you are and ultimately no longer need to “boast” to win the approval of people that you once tried to please. It is God’s invitation to live without fear. The effect this has on your relationships is profound. When you look to God rather than people to fill your ultimate needs, you can actually love, forgive and appreciate them. You can be yourself with boldness regardless of how well you are received and allow others the same. Depending on your family background, life experience and religious history, you may have greater understanding of one particular aspect of God and less of another. Part of the exciting journey of faith is discovering and being changed by the love and character of God. The prophet Jeremiah reveals that God delights in kindness, justice and righteousness. Have you known God as kind? Where do you need God’s kindness to show up in your life? Do you have a heart for justice? Where might God be calling you to advance justice in the world?Has the idea of righteousness been used to condemn you? Where does God want to heal your soul so that righteousness can be a blessing?
While God values you as an individual, one of the primary ways any of us comes to know God is in community. We work this out together. We dare to expose our doubt, fear and even flaws so that friends and fellow believers can remind us what is true about ourselves and God. We grieve when someone in our community is hurting and we celebrate when someone is rejoicing. As we live in grace together we come to know the God of all grace.
*article originally appeared in the Clergy Column of the Northfield News
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