This One Goes Out to The One I Love...

Great R.E.M. song. One of my favorites!

 

However, today's post is actually about us being "the ones God loves." About you being that person. About me being that person.

 

Author Philip Yancey writes: 

 

"I know how I respond to rejection letters from magazine editors and to critical letters from readers. I know how high my spirits soar when a larger-than-expected royalty check arrives, and how low they sink when the check is small. I know that my self-image at the end of the day depends largely on what kind of messages I have received from other people. Am I liked? Am I loved? I await the answers from my friends, my neighbors, my family - like a starving man, I await the answers...

 

If John were to be asked, 'What is your primary identity in life?' he would not reply, 'I am a disciple, and apostle, and evangelist, an author of one of the four Gospels,' but rather, 'I am the one Jesus loves.'  

 

What would it mean, I ask myself, if I too came to the place where I saw my primary identity in life as 'the one Jesus loves'? How differently would I view myself at the end of the day? How would my life change if I truly believed the Bible's astounding words about God's love for me, if I looked in the mirror and saw what God sees?"*

 

For many writers, artists, musicians and other creative types, life seems like a roller coaster. When others are applauding, publishing, reading, and admiring your work, you're on cloud nine. You feel encouraged, blessed, and happy. But when you receive a rejection or a project doesn't turn out the way you had hoped, you feel discouraged and may even question your giftedness and calling.    

 

Thankfully, God isn't a roller coaster God. He loves us because of who He is, no matter what we say or do. He doesn't love us more when we get the big book contract. He doesn't love us less when we read a negative review of our work in the paper.

 

It's time for us to get off the spiritual roller coaster and say, "I am the one Jesus loves."  

 

*From What's So Amazing About Grace? by Philip Yancey (Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 1997, 68-69).