Unworthy

After everything Mary has done and what has happened to her, she feels unworthy. Who is she that she would be allowed to belong to Jesus? Who is she that she would be allowed to come back again?

Do you recognize that? That something happened in your life, or you made a choice that made you feel "unworthy"? Would Jesus still (want to) see you? Would you still be allowed to come back? And who guarantees that it won't happen again?

Unworthy.

Read John 1:12 again. If you believe in God, if you have accepted Him, you have become a child of God. However you feel, that still stands. No matter how you have gone wrong, that remains standing. No matter what happens, that remains standing. You can "un-friend" someone, but once a "child," always a child.

Do you realize that this verse also means you are a child of the Most High God? That the Creator of everything and you have "the same last name"? And when you realize that, what does that do to you? Doesn't it show something again of how great God is to us? How great His love and grace are?

Just like that, there can be things that come between God and you. That happens to all of us.

But take away this today: that doesn't change who you are. That doesn't give you a different "last name." Jesus paid for you with His life; you belong to Him.

And when things happen that come between you and Jesus, read 1 John 1:9 again. Confessing is simply going to Him, telling Him and honestly acknowledging what went wrong.

Jesus always comes to meet you. With this verse, you have the promise that He always wants to forgive you and cleanse you again. And that is not "cheap," or "(too) easy" when you realize what it is that He cleanses you with, every time.

Take the following questions to think about:

• Do you ever feel unworthy?
• So what do you do?
• What place does confessing what has gone wrong in your life have?

Prayer: "Lord, You are incredibly great. Thank You for giving Your name to me. Thank You that by faith You set me free. Thank You that You know me through and through. Thank You that there is nothing that can separate us. Your love is greater. Help me, Lord, always go to You when I stumble or feel unworthy. Lord, wash me clean, and always show me how You see me. Amen."