God is Our Redeemer and He Calls Us By Name
There was a story of a young couple who visited the man’s family annual gathering. The young woman seemed out of place and a misfit. She was made to feel welcome enough, but the family observed her peculiar behaviour, insecurity, rude, obnoxious and almost controlling of her husband. The husband on the other hand loved her, adored her, and would do anything for her. But he too was weak.
Whilst others quietly avoided her during the gathering, an elderly uncle of the man could see through the façade and pulled her by both shoulders to face him squarely in the face, looked into her eyes and spoke truth into her. He reminded her that she came from a family of warriors. He reminded her of the mana she carries; her identity in Christ and her God given role to serve her people of the land. He also reminded her that her husband is the head of their family, and she is his helper, his strength. He turns to the husband, and spoke truth into his spirit, his wairua, his mana – reminding him of his rightful role as the leader of his family.
More was said by the uncle, and eventually, after hearing words of truth that broke through the façade, the young woman especially broke down and sobbed over the uncle’s shoulder as he hugged her as a father would.
“But now, thus says the Lord, who created you, O Jacob, And He who formed you, O Israel: "Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by your name; You are Mine.” (Isaiah 43:1)
Just as God comforted his people during the Babylonian exile, He reminds us constantly that He is our Father, our creator. He is our redeemer, and He called us by name, because of His unfailing love. He affirms our identity in Him. He points us towards Him, the Alpha and the Omega. (Revelation 22:13)
In his wisdom, the uncle saw through the pain in her soul and her brokenness, but he didn’t acknowledge either of these things. Instead, he spoke directly into her spirit, reminding her of her identity. The power of his words carried life, affirming her as a woman of strength. Similarly, he didn’t call out his nephew’s weakness, but affirmed him, reminding him of his heavenly calling.
The Father is calling you and I simply to remember Him, remember who He is in the midst of whatever we are going through. Remember that He is sovereign, He is all powerful, He is faithful, and He is love.
His divine completeness - completes us. His divine-eternal-nature, by whom and through whom we were created. By faith we will see His divine nature and attributes and all its glory that has been in full display since the creation of the world. (Romans 1:20).
When we cast our eyes not on our circumstances but to the One who is all knowing, the One whom all knowledge, peace and joy come from, it is only then our pain and struggles make sense. Without the Father’s understanding, nothing makes any sense. Only He can restore the mana of His people, but He has given us the authority to do like the uncle did – speak life into someone’s pain, and over someone’s life.
In His richest blessings
Frank Po Ching