Daily Bread

Jesus came to his home town and began to teach the people in their synagogue, so that they were astounded and said, ‘Where did this man get this wisdom and these deeds of power? Is not this the carpenter’s son? Is not his mother called Mary? And are not his brothers James and Joseph and Simon and Judas? And are not all his sisters with us? Where then did this man get all this?’ And they took offence at him. But Jesus said to them, ‘Prophets are not without honour except in their own country and in their own house.’ And he did not do many deeds of power there, because of their unbelief.

It's interesting to think that the biggest block to faith was that Jesus was known to people. They couldn't see past the person who was standing before them and their minds were filled with memories of who Jesus was and his local family connections. In a way, they couldn't see the spiritual (God) because they only saw the physical (man).

In the same way, if we are open to God through Christ, we become filled with the Holy Spirit — God makes home with us, but to others they see only the physical us. Our colleagues, friends, and family know us. Some know the good bits, some know the bad bits, and others know the ugly bits!

As a pastor, I often feel 'imposter syndrome'. If others knew what was going through my head would they really bother to listen to anything I have to say? Would they say, "Gav, we know what you're really like! Call yourself a Christian? Pfft!"

Yup, the truth is that none of us are worthy of being filled with the Holy Spirit, but we are made worthy through Christ, and God chose to make us clean so that God could make home with us.

Today, don't let anyone put you down because of who you are or what you have thought, said, or done. You have been sanctified (made holy) through Christ and are a bearer of the image of God. Christ is in you. Be confident in that, knowing full well you are not perfect, God chose you. God chose you. God chose you!

Holy God
Thank you that
although I was far off
you came and met me
through your Son.
Thank you for choosing me
and for filling me
with your Holy Spirit.
I am yours
and you are mine.
Now and forever.