GodReflection: Does God Care Specifically About Me?

Life in the Pecos Valley of New Mexico’s Chihuahuan Desert was rather informal.

Mostly, we were on a first name basis. Although, at school we addressed the teachers and our principal as Mr., Mrs., or Miss—dependent upon marital status—and we prefaced those who practiced medicine or dentistry with Doctor.

On the street and in the church, we went by a person’s given name. Theron was our song leader, A.C. our Bible teacher, Bob worked with our teens, and Robert or Ray preached from the pulpit.

There was not a lot of sophistication in the desert. There was respect but little pretense. Regardless of age we knew each other by name.

Holy Scripture paints the portrait of God as the Almighty who knew by name each person of His creation.

From a bush consumed with fire the name “Moses, Moses” rang out. Surely, there is more to that scene than the text shares. There stood Moses. I can only imagine the quiver of his lips and the lack of stability that must have shook his legs as he responds to a plant on fire.

His “Here I Am,” began a four decade-plus relationship between Father God and one of His beloved human creation.

At the end of his walk across life and the desert his epitaph reads: Since then, no prophet has risen in Israel like Moses, whom the Lord knew face to face (Deuteronomy 34:10).

Over a millennium later Jesus reveals a newsflash. Creator God is His Father who not only knows my name but also desires my company.

Jesus raised the curtain on his identity with his declaration to Philip, “If you really know me, you will know my Father also.”  He did no less than opened the door I needed for reciprocal companionship with Creator God.

When I see Jesus for who he is I actually see Father God.

So, I read of God who knows Mary, Martha and Lazarus. I see Creator God as He loves them, dines with them, and cries with them (John 11-12).

In Luke’s gospel I read of Martha who opened her home to Jesus. He is the embodiment of God who “loved Martha and her sister and Lazarus” (John 11:5).

Companionship is what happens when hearts link together. Through Jesus I see God who always knows precisely what is on people’s heart.

Martha, Mary and Lazarus linked hearts with Jesus. Frequently, He came and went from their home. Companionship was real. Jesus’ presence in their home was no less than the reality that God enjoyed the company of Martha, her sister Mary and Lazarus her brother.

Ok, what does all of this have to do with me?

Immediately, I’m drawn to Jesus’ words as he addressed a crowd of multiple thousands in Luke chapter twelve:

“Are not five sparrows sold for two pennies? Yet not one of them is forgotten by God. Indeed, the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Don’t be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows.”

Should there be any doubt that a God who knows every sparrow and numbers each hair on my head would also know my name? And, Father God wants me to know I am valued.

I think of one other incident from Luke chapter ten that took place in the home of the two sisters and their brother. It too is a reminder of God who knows my name and desires my companionship:

Mary, sat at the Lord’s feet listening to what he said. But Martha was distracted by all the preparations that had to be made. She came to him and asked, “Lord, don’t you care that my sister has left me to do the work by myself? Tell her to help me!”

“Martha, Martha,” the Lord answered, “you are worried and upset about many things, but few things are needed—or indeed only one. Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her.”

There are times in my life when I find myself “worried and upset about many things.” I too need to hear companion God call my name. “Gary, Gary,” (God uses given names) “few things are needed—or indeed only one,” that is to keep company with the One who knows your name.”

So here is the ninth brick of twelve, He knows my name and desires my company. I lay brick number nine to help me become less of an “earthoholic” and more addicted to the Holy as I seek God’s reassurance that He care specifically about me.

God also knows your name and desires your company. How do you respond?

Stay tuned. 

 

Dr. Gary J. Sorrells

A GodReflection: He Knows My Name and Desires My Company. 

Gary@Godreflection.org  www.GodReflection.org

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