by Elizabeth Haarberg

Standing in the middle of God’s heart.

You can listen to today’s devotion by clicking on this SoundCloud link

“Behold, My Servant, whom I uphold;
My Chosen One in whom My soul delights.
I have put My Spirit upon Him;
He will bring forth justice to the nations.”
Isaiah 42:1 Amplified Version

The world is obsessed with finding “true love”, the kind of love we see in movies and on television. We want to insert a person into the empty slot, hoping they will make us whole. We get married, and that’s not enough so we have children to fulfill us. Still we are empty. Some look to work, others alcohol, drugs, pornography, etc. One thing remains, we will continue the hunt to fill the void inside.

How many of us desire God more than someone on this earth? Socially we are taught to find our soulmate, the right person who will complete us. People are necessary in our lives, just not as a God-replacement.

In the verse above, God is talking about Jesus in the Old Testament. God already knows the rest of the story, and he is speaking into future events of Jesus’ sacrifice. Jesus is the Chosen One, but we are also chosen by God. His soul delights in us! He is our true love. He has put His Spirit in, and on, us to go into the world and pour love out on everyone we meet.

The end of the verse reassures us that He loves us so much He will fight our battles. We are more than conquerors so we can lay our weapons down at His feet. Our surrender, and prayers, are the best defense.

To encounter God’s love is the greatest purpose in my life. This reality changes every aspect of my life, my days, and my minutes. The peace, and love, I receive from Him changes the atmosphere. I can’t give love if I can’t receive it.

We are only vessels, barrels lying in the rain, capturing His heart to pour out on the dry, cracked, soil of those around us that need a drink of everlasting life.

The picture above was taken last night. My daughters made the petal heart for me, and wanted to capture me in the middle of the heart. Just like we stand in the middle of God’s heart.

Copyright Holy Cross Lutheran Church, Colorado Springs, Colorado