For those God foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brothers and sisters. And those he predestined, he also called; those he called, he also justified; those he justified, he also glorified. Rom. 8:29-30
Gracious Father, one of the many things you’re convicting me about during Lent is the big family into which you’ve placed me. In the gospel, none of us is an only child. Though I came from the womb a selfish man, was raised in a culture of individualism, and am an introvert by temperament and often a loner by choice, nevertheless, you’ve made me for rich relationship and engaged community.
I’m seeing this everywhere in the Scriptures, but especially in the plural pronouns. The “we’s” outnumber the “I’s,” and the “our’s” outnumber the “my’s” about ten to one. All of us matter, but no one of us is “the point.” You know each of us by name, but you treasure all of us the same. What a God, what a father, what a family.
I praise you that the gospel is powerful enough to make a concave heart like mine, convex. Only you can cultivate your welcoming heart in my hermit-like heart. I know of no other power which can free me for knowing and being known by others, and for actually thinking more of others more highly and often than I think of myself (Phil. 2:1-11). Father, help me to see others with eyes of mercy and grace, intrigue and enjoyment, encouragement and hope.
Indeed, there are no ordinary people or unnecessary people in the body of Christ. There are no big people or little people in your family. We’re all the right size. Not one of us is more justified than the other or more precious in your sight. We’ll all be equally glorified when Jesus comes back—each one of us will be just as lovely and loving as our Savior.
Forgive me when my attitude and actions contradict these grand affirmations. Father, one day we will gather as your completed family in the New Jerusalem—as sons and daughters from every race, tribe, language, and people group, eternally diverse and perfectly united. As we will love then, enable us to love in small yet observable ways now—one family, many children, all to your glory.
Heal our broken relationships. Reconcile old friends, now disconnected by sin, time and grace-leak. Turn tired hearts into tender hearts, once again. So very Amen we pray, in Jesus’ loving and unifying name.
