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In my first year of high school, Australia converted to decimal currency and Simon and Garfunkel released the song, “I am a rock”. While everyone in Australia was working together to adjust to the new currency the song spoke of going it alone. “I am a rock. I am an island.”
It’s a sad song about being hurt and withdrawing into isolation in order to avoid any more pain.
We’ve had some experiences of isolation this year and depending on our nature we’ve either enjoyed or hated those times.
Our God is into community. God, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit exist in a divine community of love and because we’re made in the image of God we’re also made for community.
The Christian faith in particular and life in general aren’t meant to be solo adventures. Even those with an introverted nature need others. We all need community.
Paul describes the community in terms of a body with many different and varied parts in Romans 12 and 1 Corinthians 12. The different parts of the body need each other and when they work together the body functions properly.
The beauty of this image and situation is found in the love and support we give and receive in the community. There are times when we desperately need the support of a loving community and there are times when we provide the support to members of the community.
This ‘strange’ year has highlighted the need for community. We need to care for each other and look out for each other.
It’s great to know God is always doing his best for us. It’s also clear our sisters and brothers are gifts from God. God often helps us through the community. God bless you with all the help you need and with all the strength you need to help others.
Righteous discipline
by Anne Hansen
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We have all had human fathers who trained us for a little while. They did what they thought was best. But God trains us for our good. He does this so we may share in his holiness (Hebrews 12:9a,10).
Read Hebrews 12:4–11
I really enjoy gardening. I think there is something very therapeutic about having your hands in dirt and seeing plants grow under your care. When I plant little tomato plants, they grow for a little while on their own, but if I leave them without support, they can easily be broken in the wind and rain. So, I tie a stake to the flimsy stem to help it grow straight. As the tomato plant grows, a larger stake is needed so it can get tall and produce a lot of fruit. When tying the plant to the stake, I am not doing it to hurt the plant, but to support it, care for it and help it produce fruit.
God loves you so much that he does all he can to support and protect you from all the evils in the world. He has sent his Holy Spirit to help us when needed, and so we can know his love. He sent his only Son to die for our sins and to assure us of his forgiveness and life forever with him.
God also sent his word for us to read, learn from and understand his ways. Then God also placed us in families to guide, lead and protect each person so that they may know God’s love.
But sometimes we make mistakes, and God lovingly corrects us. This correction is to help us grow, be strong and produce fruit – like the tomato plant. God allows us to face the consequences of our sinful actions or tells us ‘No’ to keep us safe. We may feel that God is hurting us, but it is his way of helping us to grow straight and strong in his love.
Human parents discipline their children not to hurt them, but to guide and protect them because they love their children so much. God is the same with us. He doesn’t discipline because he is angry or wants to punish. He disciplines because he loves us and wants us to share in his holiness and spend eternal life with him. See the training and correcting from God as a sign of his intense love for you to bear the fruits and be the person God made you to be.
You will have bad days, but God is always there, loving you!
My loving Father, you care for me so much that you correct and train me in your ways. Help me to understand that it is all because of your great love for me. Guide me to listen and follow your commands. Amen.
Anne Hansen has been the Lutheran Tract Mission development officer for 20 years. She lives in Noosa, Queensland, with her husband, Mark, who is a pastor. She enjoys leading Know Your Bible (KYB) and Mainly Music. For relaxation, Anne enjoys walking, reading, gardening and playing pickleball.
God’s tattoo
by Anne Hansen
Click here to download your printable verse to carry with you today.
See, I have engraved you on the palms of my hands; your walls are ever before me (Isaiah 49:16).
Read Isaiah 49:14–21
I remember writing notes on my hand as a child to remember things I needed to do or get. Even now, I write something on my hand if it is really important. As it is temporary, it can be washed off. I remember my children liking temporary tattoos or stamps on their hands. It was a source of joy until it faded, and they wanted it off. I remember having friends at school who wrote test answers on their arms to ensure they got good marks. Tattoos have also become quite popular, with some people having children’s names, friends’ names, phrases or pictures that are special to them tattooed on their bodies.
God tells his people that he has ‘… engraved us on the palms of his hands …’ Basically, God is saying, ‘I am committed to you, and I am thinking about you all the time. I am caring for you always. You are a permanent part of me.’
The passage mentions that our walls are ever before him, meaning that all our needs are continually before God. We are his sons and daughters, and we belong to him. God provides for our daily needs and cares enough to give us what we need for our lives and to grow in godliness. He wants us to grow in our relationship with him and share his glory.
God encourages us to turn to his grace and provisions. He is intimately aware of all that is going on in our lives. He has etched us not only on his hands but on his heart. This is a great analogy as we consider what happened to Jesus at the cross.
Nails were embedded in his hands for us. So, we are with Jesus in his death and even more in his resurrection and the glory he prepared in advance for us. We have been permanently tattooed on God’s Son as he carries our needs and concerns. Today, know that you are God’s special child, and he has your name and life tattooed on his hands.
You are permanently etched on God’s hands and heart.
Thank you, my God, for naming and claiming me as your own. You bless me each day and guide me through all my concerns and issues. Forgive me when I do wrong and lead me always along your path to eternal life. Amen.
Anne Hansen has been the Lutheran Tract Mission development officer for 20 years. She lives in Noosa, Queensland, with her husband, Mark, who is a pastor. She enjoys leading Know Your Bible (KYB) and Mainly Music. For relaxation, Anne enjoys walking, reading, gardening and playing pickleball.
Becoming wise
by Anne Hansen
Click here to download your printable verse to carry with you today.
If you want to become wise, you must begin by respecting the Lord. To know the Holy One is to gain understanding (Proverbs 9:10).
Read Proverbs 9:1–10
Many of the Proverbs were written by King Solomon, who was given wisdom as a gift from God. In the chapter our text is from, King Solomon speaks of two contrasting invitations: Lady Wisdom and Lady Folly (verses 13–18).
Lady Wisdom is portrayed as preparing a grand, secure home with a rich meal. It requires preparation and investment and offers lasting nourishment. In contrast, Lady Folly sets her table in the streets, offering ‘stolen water’ and quick, secret thrills.
Worldly temptation is like eating cheap fast food – it offers instant gratification and a momentary high; however, it lacks the long-term nutritional value required to sustain your soul. Lady Wisdom, however, offers a prepared feast of truth that nourishes, satisfies and brings eternal life.
We are also asked to choose which invitation we would like to accept: a roast dinner from God or something from a fast-food chain. In the long run, a diet consisting solely of fast food will bring us health problems. Living life with God takes more time to organise and prepare; however, it offers eternal salvation, provides more nourishment, and has value for our hearts, lives and health. God wants us to choose the way of wisdom, but it is ultimately we who need to work out which path we take.
Read through the passage Proverbs 9:1–10 again and note how we become wise. Wisdom is discernment when choosing what is better for our lives. Wisdom is being open to learning about God and his ways. Wisdom is being able to be corrected and instructed. Wisdom is respecting God and honouring him in everything. Wisdom is walking with God and learning about his will for our lives. May you grow in the wisdom of our Lord and Saviour, who knows what is best for your life and will lead and guide you as you navigate the issues that you may face. He is the source of all wisdom.
Grow in God’s love and will for your life and live!
Lord of Wisdom and Life, grow in my life the understanding I need to walk in your ways and to follow them to find nourishment for my life. Thank you, Lord, for showing me your ways. Amen.
Anne Hansen has been the Lutheran Tract Mission development officer for 20 years. She lives in Noosa, Queensland, with her husband, Mark, who is a pastor. She enjoys leading Know Your Bible (KYB) and Mainly Music. For relaxation, Anne enjoys walking, reading, gardening and playing pickleball.