“Oh, Love, How Deep,” verse 4 (ELW 322)
Devotion
For us he prayed; for us he taught;
for us his daily works he wrought,
by words and signs and actions thus
still seeking not himself, but us.
By words and signs and actions, Jesus gave his whole life for us. This means, of course, that Jesus gave his whole life for you. Truly, that is a deep love. Can you let yourself sink into that love? As I noted in yesterday’s reflections, the world tends to emphasize our lack and reduce us to our faults and flaws—so much so that it can be difficult to escape the sense of not being enough. But God knew full well the shortcomings of our humanity before deciding to send Jesus to us. God knew of our brokenness and sinfulness, but loved us still.
In Christ, you are not defined by what you have done, or failed to do. Nor are you defined by what has been done to you. You are defined by what Jesus has done for you. Receive that love and sink into the depths of it—letting it pour over, into and out of you. You are enough because God through Jesus has made it so.
Prayer
O God, the world says I am not enough, but you say I am your beloved. Help me to receive your love, that I might also share it. Amen.