🙌It's the Friday Call to Worship!🙌

Originally shared 5 January 2024:

I have found myself in the beginning of my Bible at the beginning of a new year. The fall of man is the first account after creation. It only took three chapters to get there. Every page after is filled with God's pursuit of unbroken relationship with us, no matter the cost.

Genesis 3 starts with the enemy twisting questions aimed to steal, kill and destroy. "Did God really say...?" In an instant, chaos, confusion, separation, shame, guilt, and fear stained a spotless masterpiece. Just seven verses later, however, God Himself comes and asks questions to seek, heal and hold. "Where are you? Who told you that you were naked?"

I've read the story a hundred times. But this time, on the crest of a new year, I am struck by God's pursuing kindness. There was no shaming or blaming in God's questions. Those things cannot exist in Him.

God came to walk in the garden. He came to walk on this earth as a man Himself... always to be closer to you and I. He will stop at nothing to remove our shame. In fact, he was so excited to announce His victorious love story, He gave the first gospel message right there in verses 14 and 15 of the same chapter. Redemption and grace have always been in the cards for us.

Like a good, good Father, he leans into You and I this new year and says, "Where are you?" He's never been out to get you. He's not looking to punish you. He just wants you to know He's already saved you. When He asks, "Where are you?", it's so we hear the kindness in His voice that leads us to repentance.

Let's worship the One who continually leans in close to make sure we don't forget the sound of His voice, no matter where we find ourselves.

Listen to “Every Victory” by The Belonging Co, feat Danny Gokey.