Tag: God knew

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He Knows Your Name

John 20: 16  Jesus said to her, “Mary!”  She turned and said to Him in Hebrew, “Rabboni!” (which means, Teacher)  NASB

In March of 2020, I moved from St. Louis to Louisville, KY.  This was a pretty big deal, but even more so at the beginning of a pandemic. 

I had left my support system which had been established for 11 1/2 years to start my life over – completely.  Daunting on it’s own.  Monumental and fraught with difficulty in a pandemic.  

Being the new kid, I was constantly introducing myself because no one knew my name. 

It didn’t take too long before I had some connection with neighbors met during walks in the neighborhood .  I was introduced to a few, very few, folks from church, but not for a couple months.  In each case, I said the same phrase – my name is…………

But there’s one person that didn’t need introduction.  Jesus.  He knew me before the move, through the move, and after the move.  He knows my name.  

I can prove that.  In John 10: 27 it says, “My sheep hear My voice, and I know them,”   Indeed, I have been listening to His voice for a long time.  Best yet – He knows  me.  He knows the real me.  He knows my name. 

And in Isaiah 43: 1 it says, “Do not fear, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by name; you are Mine!”    Wow – redeemed & called by name.  I’m known – I’m His.  

In the key verse, Jesus is speaking to Mary.  She doesn’t realize who He is till He says her name.  Can you even imagine what her heart experienced at that  moment?   Jesus, the one she saw die, was now calling her name.  Breathtaking. And – she was the first one He spoke to once resurrected.  The very first one – Mary – hearing her name.  

There’s something special about the connection of saying a name.  Just by the sound, it communicates so much.  

Tomorrow is Resurrection Day.  It’s an enormous celebration of Jesus’ resurrection.  It’s the reason we have hope.  And to think. . . this resurrected Jesus knows our name.  He knows my name!!   

That right there is cause for extraordinary celebration.  The Cross – The Resurrection – Jesus.  And He is saying your name – He is saying my name.  

Hallelujah !  What a Savior

Peace & Blessings

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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The Milking Bucket

2 Corinthians 4: 7 – 12

When I was a young girl, I spent a good bit of time at my Uncle Albert and Aunt Marie’s farm.  They had various animals, but what I’m thinking about today are the cows.  More precisely, I am remembering the milking buckets.

Of course new methods are used to milk cows, but I remember when you pulled up a stool, put the bucket under the cow and milked by hand.  Yes, there was a definite smell in the barn, but I really did get used to it.  And yes, the first time I milked a cow, it felt weird grabbing that part of this animal.  I was always afraid of getting kicked.  My cousins assured me the cow was expecting to be milked and as long as I didn’t hurt her, she would just stand there while I milked her.  They were right. . . . . . so I relaxed and even talked to the cows sometimes.  But enough reminiscing.  Lets get back to the milking bucket.

The Bucket

The milking bucket was metal.  Even though used in a dirty barn, the buckets were kept very clean.  After all, a food was being collected.

Where I’m going here is to equate the milking bucket to the clay jars described in 2 Corinthians 4.  Just like the jars were knocked about and showed damage, the milking buckets did too.  Occasionally a bucket would get kicked or just toppled over if a cow bumped into it.  After that sort of treatment, the bucket had a few dents & dings on the sides, especially after several years of use.

Sometimes the person milking, in an effort to reduce the number of dumping trips, would milk until the bucket was nearly full.  At that point it was much more difficult to carry.  Often while transporting, the bucket would move and sway.  Milk, white treasure, would spill out.

We are clay jars, a little like the milking bucket.  We get knocked around in life.  Tough circumstances from outside or from within our own selves put stress on our earthen vessel.  We chip or crack a bit and sometimes when we are jarred, treasure spills out.

Maybe that sounds bad.  But remember that unlike the milk, when our treasure spills out, it blesses others.  God uses the wonderful treasure we have in our clay pots to encourage, love, care for and lead others to saving faith.

We look at our worn, damaged pot thinking we have nothing to offer.  “Why would God use me?”, you ask.  But He looks at us and says, “You are perfect just the way you are.”  Your jar doesn’t look like anyone else’s jar.  That’s because what God has for you is completely unique.  No one else has the purpose God has chosen for you.  God knows the plans He has for you, and they are good.  His thoughts & ways are not like our thoughts or ways.  I’ve  heard Beth Moore say that when God has a thought, the entire plan is already there.  It’s complete down to the smallest detail.  When you or I have a thought, it’s just an idea.  Planning comes later.

God knew. . . . . .

God formed each one of us and knew from the very beginning what our pots would look like – not just at the beginning, but at the end too, and every moment in between.  Our cracks, dents, or imperfections are not surprises to God.  And He is well able to complete the work He started in us.

I’ve enjoyed remembering the farm, my family, the barn, the cows and the milking buckets.  It was a happy time in my life.  But I think I will stick to the clay pot visual for myself.  I like knowing that God personally formed my clay pot and has a good plan for me.  I’m a treasure-filled clay pot with a purpose. You are too.