“But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and was filled with compassion for him.”
Luke 15:20
We all can remember the times we have messed up. When we fall short, hurt someone knowingly, and even sin intentionally. In our failures, our conscience is always ready to condemn us and fill our minds with guilt and shame.
My Declaration of Faith:
Today, I remind myself of this truth: I am already approved. Before I ever breathed my first breath, God knew me. He saw every part of my life—every high and every low—and still, He chose me. He placed something unique inside of me that no one else carries. I’m not a mistake. I’m not overlooked. I’m not flawed. I am called, equipped, and chosen in Christ.
“Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to mankind by which we must be saved.”
Acts 4:12
Our names play a vital role in our identities. They are intertwined with deeply personal, cultural, familial, and historical ties. They also provide us with a sense of who we are, our place in the world, and the communities to which we belong. Some given names even allow the person to have special access to places or connections that others don’t normally have access to. For example, the President of the United States has access to the White House, the Pentagon, or any top-secret military compound. The Pope has access to the Vatican Palace and all its resources. Queen Elizabeth had access to Buckingham Palace and all its resources. If you have any special relationship with any of these people, then you can also have special access to certain resources available to you that you would not normally have.
