One month ago, I started the new year off with my OneWord Resolution: inscribed. I dove into learning about the God who loves me enough to inscribe me on His hands (Isaiah 49:16). I expected an impact. I was ready for big things. I wasn't ready for this.
Leave it God to turn this whole thing upside down.
I'm reading through the Bible this year, so on January 1, I started out in Genesis, and there it was, in the very beginning. It didn't take long for God's perfect creation to fail miserably. Sin entered the world, and mankind was destined to carry the scars for all generations to come. Then I came to this:
Genesis 3:15 (NASB)
And I will put enmity Between you and the woman, And between your seed and her seed; He shall bruise you on the head, And you shall bruise him on the heel."
From the beginning, from the very first sin, God knew what it would take to save us. We were already inscribed, because Jesus was willing to pay the price for us. In His eyes, we were worth saving.
Jump ahead with me, to week four of my Bible reading. This time I was in Matthew, reading about Jesus' crucifixion. He suffered. He gave His life willingly - for me. For all of us. He could have stopped it all, but He didn't. That day, as He hung on that cross, He inscribed me on His hands. The veil in the temple - the physical barricade that separated people from God's presence - was torn in two when He died.
When Jesus died, our separation from God died, too.
He gave me everything. I can never repay the debt He forgave. How dare I think this whole thing is about me?
I thought this journey, this focus on "inscribed," would be about His love for me. It is, in part. But in more ways, it's about my love for Him, and how His love changes me. It leaves me speechless. Overwhelmed. Humbled.
I thought this journey, this focus on "inscribed," would be about His love for me. It is, in part. But in more ways, it's about my love for Him, and how His love changes me. It leaves me speechless. Overwhelmed. Humbled.
I am inscribed, and that changes everything.
Love this, Amanda! Reminds me of this scripture:
ReplyDelete"When he sees all that is accomplished by his anguish,
he will be satisfied.
And because of his experience,
my righteous servant will make it possible
for many to be counted righteous,
for he will bear all their sins." - Isaiah 53:11
He looked at his anguish, and counted us WORTH IT!! Wow.
Heart Hugs, Shelly <3
Amanda, I think that "inscribe" is a wonderful word/focus for any of us to contemplate and you have shared some good thoughts to begin.
ReplyDeleteI have read ( am not sure if it is in Scripture ) that in heaven, He will still have the scars on His hands from the nails that held Him to the Cross - although it was His Love for us that nailed Him and kept Him there as we ( sin laden ) were in those nails.
I look forward to reading more about your journey this year with "inscribed" for I know it will be a rich and nourishing journey not that the foundation of it has been established.
God bless!
Lynn
So encouraging! What a neat oneword.
ReplyDeleteI picture a snapshot of a nail pierced hand with these words across it. <3
ReplyDelete"Inscribe". That is a great, unique one-word for the year. Thank you for sharing your journey this year in the Bible!
ReplyDelete