Begin with two minutes of silence and stillness before God.

There are times when our hearts weigh heavily with shame, guilt, fear, or doubt. We replay our mistakes and wonder if God could ever be pleased with us. Interestingly, on the day I began writing this devotion, I stumbled on an old notebook from high school. Somehow, this notebook had made its way to the office. A colleague had discovered it and left it out for me.

As I opened the first page to a long list, I immediately realized it was an old journal. The list included all the ways I was failing in my spiritual life at that time...and that was just the first page. I'd filled the journal with failures; all the ways I was certain my heavenly Father was displeased with me, and all the ways I planned to fix them - to fix me. Any Enneagram Ones feel my pain?

My heart raced and I blushed a little as I read my own words from some 30 years ago, wondering if my friend had seen my list of failures "uncovered and exposed," kind of like Hebrews 4 describes: "Nothing … is hidden from God's sight, everything is uncovered and exposed before … Him to whom we must give account."

My heart also ached for Younger Me, who hadn't yet realized that everything EXPOSED before God is also COVERED by Christ, who stood in our place before God so that our hearts might REST (not strive!) in His presence. 

John reminds us in chapter 3 that when our hearts condemn us, we can still rest because "God is greater than our hearts, and He knows everything." Our confidence isn't grounded in how well we perform but in what God has already declared through Jesus Christ. His knowledge is complete. He sees our sin and our sincere desire to know, love, and follow Him. 

My mind drifts back to a tough evening during my Sophomore or Junior year of high school. I loved Jesus, and still, I didn't always make the wisest choices. As a result, I was carrying the weight of guilt and the responsibility of consequences, neither of which I handled very well. I came in, threw myself into a chair in the den, and screamed a particular four-letter word at my Mom as she tried to talk with me. If you understood how absolutely pure-hearted my Mom is, you'd understand the severity of my offense. We were both a little shocked. She had every right to bypass kindness for judgment, then send me straight to my room and out of her sight. But in that moment, she chose to lead with compassion and presence. This is the picture that comes to mind when I read John's opening words, "We are children of God, BELOVED sons and daughters."  

I was hers, and because she loved me so much, she didn't send me away. She sat with me in the middle of my mess and helped me through it; her compassion gently pointing me back to the truth of who God is, who I am to Him (and to her!), and the life He calls His children to. Leaning into the light of truth is always easier when we know we're held by love.  

My Mom knew that God, all-powerful, is also only love. Just like a safe, trustworthy parent, He knows us through and through and has compassion for us. As my Mom used to say, "Jesus KNOWS me, this I love." No fear. She'd figured this out and wanted me to feel this in my bones, too. We can rest knowing that as "we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us" (1 John 1:9). No condemnation; only His love and grace. His heart is always to help us in our time of need; compassionately bringing us back into the light of truth and to the reality of His unfailing love for us. 

I've come a long way since high school, and still, not always as much as I'd like. As Paul describes in Romans 7, I still struggle "to do the good I want to do and continue doing the evil I do not want to do". However, I've come to be confident in God's faithful love for me, and I know without a doubt that, as John speaks of himself, I too am "beloved", and this identity changes everything. 

I no longer hide in the shadows; I bring my failures into the light of His love, and I ask for His help. I know transformation is both present and future. God is shaping me now, and He will complete His work when Christ returns. This truth is the confident hope of every believer, that "when He appears we shall be like Him" (v. 2). Until then, He gives us the Holy Spirit—the voice of comfort and truth. The Spirit strengthens our faith, stirs us to love, convicts us of sin, and reassures us in times of doubt.

Wherever you find yourself today, you are completely known and completely loved by God. And you are not alone in your struggle. You have the Spirit inside you, reminding you who you are and whose you are. Lean in and listen closely. Lay everything out before your Heavenly Father, who covers you with love. 

Prayer: Lord, thank You that You are greater than my heart. When I feel unworthy, remind me of Your perfect knowledge and Your steadfast love in Christ. Help me to live with confidence before You. Fill me with Your Spirit today, so that my life reflects Your presence within me. Amen.

Take two minutes to reflect in silence.

Reflection:

Use the S.O.A.P. Method to study God’s Word.

• SCRIPTURE: What stands out to you in today’s passage?
• OBSERVATION: What is this text saying? What is the context? How does it fit with the verses before and after it? Are there any commands, instructions, or promises?
• APPLICATION: How can you apply this verse to your life? What does this mean today? What is God saying to you?
• PRAYER: Respond to the passage in prayer. Ask God to help you apply this truth to your life and spend some time listening to what He may be telling you.

James Weekly Verse Challenge

Want to go beyond just reading God's Word? Want to take action? As we study the Book of James in the "Faith That Works" message series, we encourage you to do more than read the theme verse. Each week, we challenge you to memorize the verse and put it into action. Beginning Monday, October 6, we will text the weekly verse on a downloadable wallpaper on Monday mornings. Download the mobile wallpaper to your phone and memorize the weekly verse as you strive to live it daily. 

Text "JAMES" to 601-299-4493 to receive each week's theme verse.