Are You Really Sure of the Answer?

S - Hebrews 6:17-20 (NIV): "Because God wanted to make the unchanging nature of his purpose very clear to the heirs of what was promised, he confirmed it with an oath. God did this so that, by two unchangeable things in which it is impossible for God to lie, we who have fled to take hold of the hope offered to us may be greatly encouraged. We have this hope as an anchor for the soul, firm and secure. It enters the inner sanctuary behind the curtain, where Jesus, who went before us, has entered on our behalf. He has become a high priest forever, in the order of Melchizedek."

O - The Almighty and Invisible God has an unchanging purpose regarding the human race and he has expressed that purpose by confirming it with an oath.  The immutability of his purpose is not only confirmed by his unflinching character (it really is impossible for him to lie) but by the person of Jesus.  Jesus is the exact representation of his being and the visible demonstration and confirmation of this very purpose.  The purpose? To seriously and eternally bless us.  He really has set his affection upon us and refuses to change his mind.  How can we be sure that this is true and real?  The answer remains Jesus!

A - I grew up with the bumper sticker that over time became trite to my mind:  "Jesus is the answer".  It sounded too simplistic in our complicated world.  Yet, the more I live the more apparent this is to me.  In the big and sweeping events (wars and rumors of war), as well as the small and mundane (sparrows and hairs), the purpose and oath are not only in force but relentlessly working everything for good for those who will love God back and agree to be called to his purpose (unchanging and beautiful).  Today, my place of great privilege and confidence is to align myself with God's purposes and these are best understood and revealed in a person. He said "follow me and I will make you ...". Whatever is going on in and around me, the compass point, true north and true hope actually is a person which really does make him the answer to it all.

P - Lord who is love and the answer,

Thank you for this simple, profound, eternal and practical reality which is the fabric of life here and hereafter.  Today, crafted and shaped by your power and brilliance, comes to our planet as a gift and an opportunity to come near, to follow, to love.  It is my sincere desire to fulfill this primary component of your purpose … to love you back with all I am and to love my neighbor as myself.  Lord, my focus, emotions and thoughts can fade to fuzz but your vibrant life and spirit are changelessly working and moving across the whole earth.  Please cause your life and spirit to come into me and to come out of me (at least in some small way) which gives me the joy of working with you and others a refreshing from above.

I ask in Jesus' Name,

Steve