Individual

Do you ever feel like a blurred face in a sea of other blurred faces?  Blending into the crowd, unseen, unvalued, unheard?  In this world that is pretty common and in some cases very true.  Even in churches-especially larger ones, people can be lost in the shuffle.  It can be sad, empty and lonely.  

Our Father does not see us that way.  In Him we are seen.  We are heard.  We are loved and valued.  Last season's Bible Study Fellowship was in John and that was what the Lord impressed on my heart the most.  God's individual, personal, love for me.  It wasn't just He loved His church and I was part of that.  No, it was He loved me, Madeline, intimately, all-knowingly and personally.  His care was geared to my personality, my needs and my heart.  This season's BSF is in Revelation and I was struck again by this deeply personal level of love my Father and Savior have for me.  

Revelation 2:17  Anyone with ears to hear must listen to the Spirit and understand what He is saying to the churches.  To everyone who is victorious I will give some of the manna that has been hidden away in heaven.  And I will give to each one a white stone, and on the stone will be engraved a new name that no one understands except the one who receives it.  

A name that only I would understand.  God sees exactly who I am.  He knows exactly how I think, how I feel and what I need.  And He gives me that name.  A new name, for the new creation I am.  INDIVIDUAL!  Isaiah 43:1 But now, O Jacob, listen to the Lord who created you. O Israel, the one who formed you says, “Do not be afraid, for I have ransomed you. I have called you by name; you are mine.  He calls us by name!  

There's a deep peace and appreciation for being fully known and fully loved that is only found in our God.  In all our flaws and failures, He sees beyond and sees who we really are. His beloved child.  I can't find the words to describe the depth of His knowing and the immensity of His loving---in spite of what He sees, beyond what we feel.  

As we read through the Bible, we see God dealing with people as individuals.  There was never "one size fits all" with Him.  He met Moses' feelings of inadequacy with someone to help him speak to Pharoah. (Exodus 4:1-17)  He told Jeremiah not to fear being too young, God Himself will fill His mouth with the right words. (Jeremiah 1:1-10)   Go to the Gospels and see how often Jesus dealt with people in a highly personal way.  Meeting them exactly where they were. The Samaritan woman at the well.  He specifically went through Samaria, at a specific time because He knew she would be there. (John 4:1-30)   Even Peter, who He personally and lovingly restored after He failed so miserably when Jesus went to the Cross. (John 21:15-21)

God loves you.  Specifically. Deeply.  Knowingly.  Eternally.  Personally.   Don't fail to miss this message and eternalize it's meaning.  You are not a face in the crowd.  You are the apple of God's eye.  He sees you and hears you.  You have been engraved on the palms of His hands.  Isaiah 49:16 See, I have written your name on the palms of my hands.  Always in my mind is a picture of Jerusalem’s walls in ruins.  Trust this!

Lord, I am so glad You've been taking patient time in teaching me this.  It's something I so desperately need and want.  I know I am not alone in feeling like You love me because I am Your child--in a group.  But it's so much more than that.  You love ME.  You love each of us as INDIVIDUALS.  I've heard it said that if I was the only person on earth, Christ would have still gone to the Cross.  That is how You love us.  As if we were the only person on earth.  And yet You knit us together with others to be Your church and family.  You are awesome and I am so beyond blessed and thrilled.  Lord, please plant this truth in each of our hearts.  Let us believe beyond what we feel to the truth of Your Word and the power of Your love.  In Jesus' holy and precious Name.  Amen.  

Believe.