In His Hands
Friday, June 3
In His Hands
Return home and tell how much God has done for you.” So the man went away and told all over town how much Jesus had done for him. Luke 8:39
In life we have two choices. We can give into the story that the world tells us about ourselves and others, or, with God’s help, we can choose to write a different story. In Luke 8 we read of a man suffering from a mis-identity. We also read how his life was turned around because he turned to Jesus for help. The world tells the man that he is worthless. They keep him at arm’s-length, and he lives in caves on the outskirts of town. We don’t even know his name, because no one cared to remember it as this story was being passed down. The people in the story certainly don’t treat him like he has a name, or is a child of God. However, when Jesus steps on the scene this man was offered a ‘new beginning’.
With Jesus’ help, this unnamed man begins to believe the story that God has for him — a story of healing, hope, and new beginnings. When the townspeople find him dressed, clean, and alert, they are shocked.
If this were modern-day times, we would probably see his image all over social media because people are fascinated with a good comeback story. Who could believe that this man is redeemable? No one, but Jesus came along gave him a hug, and reminded him that he is someone.
What is the story that God is telling us about ourselves? What is the story God is telling us about another?
Do you have the courage to re-write these stories?
Prayer for today: Dear Loving Father, deliver me from the stories the world tells me about myself and from the temptation to believe they are true. Give me the courage to start again with You. Help me to see me, the way that You see me. Help me to live into the story that you are re-writing for me. Amen.