Made for More: 30 Days of Experiencing More Life, Love, and FreedomSample

Day 16: The Joy Set Before Him

The writer of Hebrews tells us that “for the joy set before Him, He endured the cross” (Hebrews 12:2). Have you ever paused to ask—what exactly was that joy?

The answer may surprise you. It was you. It was me.

We are the joy that was set before Jesus as He endured unthinkable suffering. That truth is meant to be part of our foundation—one of the deep realities we return to over and over again. As Brent Curtis, co-author of The Sacred Romance, once wrote:

“We are the ones to be called Fought Over, Captured & Rescued, and Pursued. It seems remarkable, incredible, and too good to be true. There really is something desirable within me, something the King of the universe has moved heaven and earth to get.”

You are His beloved. Every man and woman must begin here. And every man and woman must come back here, again and again.

As a father of three, I often catch glimpses of how God loves us. My kids—how could they ever truly grasp how much I love them, what I wouldn’t do for them? Or understand the quiet, unseen ways I work for their good—sacrificing, providing, protecting? Most of the time, they don’t know what’s going on behind the scenes. And that’s okay. I’m not loving them for recognition or reward. I am loving them just because they’re mine. And because they are mine, I delight in them.

In the same way, God’s love for you isn’t transactional. It’s personal. Passionate. Relentless. Jesus said,

“How much more will your Father in Heaven give good gifts to those who ask Him?” (Matthew 7:11).

He doesn’t just love because it’s His job. He loves you because you are His.

Because you are a believer, you are a beloved son or daughter of the King. You have been rescued, redeemed, and adopted into a glorious family—with all the privileges and promises that come with that name, role, and title. Your freedom is won. Your name is written in the Lamb’s Book of Life.

Through Christ, we’ve been pulled off dead-end roads and out of orphanages, and brought into a place of belonging, identity, and inheritance. We are made co-heirs with Christ (Romans 8:17). This has always been the Father’s plan—from the garden to the cross to today.

So, what is the Father lovingly doing now in our lives? I know what He wants to do. Restore us. Heal us. Validate us. And train us in the ways of the Kingdom.

The heavy lifting is done. And for our part? Show up, lean in, and walk with Him as beloved sons and daughters until you truly believe it, grow in intimacy until you really feel it, exercise strength, and settle into your purpose—and it will accumulate, it will take root, it all with transform and take you to the next steps of learning to live free.

As you reflect on all this with God today, consider asking Him:

Jesus, a Sacred Romance? What kind of context have I had regarding our relationship and what would adopting a Sacred Romance do to how we relate to one another?

Holy Spirit, how do you want to show me and tell me I am your beloved?

Father, is there one phrase or sentence that feels like it’s just for me today? Would You help me hear it clearly and understand why it matters?