YOU’RE significant
No mere specks in God’s universe
amongst them also happens to be the most conBy Greg Grotewold founding. Jesus doesn’t just love me; no, He loves Wanting to get away over spring break, our me like the Father loves Him. “As the Father has family spent five wonderful days in Boston. A big loved me, so have I loved you” (John 15:9, ESV). part of the trip’s excitement – in addition to New England’s rich colonial history of course – was the This is staggering, given the abiding adoration plane ride itself. It was the first for both boys. With the Father has for His Son. He cherishes Jesus and each having his own window seat, the view kept possesses a level of affection that quite honestly is them captive for a large portion of the flight out difficult to comprehend. It is that deep, that wide, and back. that encompassing. The best I can do to try and Luke and Eli’s reaction to their inaugural flight illustrate is this. For those who are parents, take reminded me of my own some 35 years ago. I rethe love that you experienced the first time you call being absolutely awestruck as to the country’s held your newborn baby and then multiply that massiveness. And to be honest, I’ve never lost the emotion a thousandfold; you’ll begin to scratch the fascination. Even after all these years of business surface of the Father’s love towards His Son and travel, I continue to be amazed every time I’m in thus the Son’s love towards me. the air. Adding to the astonishment, not only does Jesus The source of the amazement has morphed, Greg Grotewold love me as the Father loves Him, but the Father though. While the expansive landscape continues loves me with the same passion that His Son does. to impress, it’s my standing in connection to it that has me most I know this because, as Jesus explains in John’s Gospel, the two are intrigued these days. At 30,000 feet, I’m but an indistinguishable one. “Whoever has seen me has seen the Father” (14:9, ESV). speck on the horizon – one diminutive object amongst a plethora of others. And yet, despite my small stature, I’m significant. In fact, “Believe me that I am in the Father and the Father is in me” my worth greatly exceeds what my size would otherwise dictate (14:11). They enjoy (along with the Holy Spirit) perfect disposiand is anything but commensurate. tional unity. Their character, inclination, and sentiment are in This disproportionate value isn’t because I’m rich and famous. complete harmony with each other, for Jesus is the exact imprint I’m not. It isn’t because I’ve won a Pulitzer or found the cure for of the Father (Hebrews 1:3). What the Son thinks and feels is what some incapacitating disease. I haven’t. It isn’t because I carry unthe Father thinks and feels. When the former speaks, He is reprecanny theological or geopolitical insight. I don’t. And even if I was, senting the latter. “The words that I say to you I do not speak even if I had, even if I did, the source of said significance is tied to on my own authority, but the Father who dwells in me does his something much greater and has absolutely nothing to do with me. I’m valuable because I have the favor of the One who created the works” (John 14:10). The Father and Son are unified on all fronts, including the depth of affection they carry for me. stratosphere in which we flew and the planet on which we gazed. Because of King Jesus, I’m anything but a mere speck. I’m proJesus Christ, who spoke the universe into existence and superinfoundly loved and adored. If Jesus is the Lord of your life, this is tends every element of it, is for me (Romans 8:31, Psalm 56:9). He your glorious reality too. Be in awe of the Savior. n calls me friend (John 15:15). The Lord relentlessly pursued this mere speck with His irresistible grace and saved me from myself. Greg Grotewold lives in Oakdale, Minn. with his wife, Sandi, He took His glorious standing with the Father and in an act of unsurpassed mercy bestowed it upon me, a sinner deserving eternal and their two sons, Luke and Eli. He is a deacon in his local death. While the blessings of such favor are many, the most salient church and greatly enjoys serving in this capacity.
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