whom Jesus loved

This morning, I woke up early (still being on the timezone from Nashville) and everyone was still asleep. I pulled out my phone to check messages and to read a few passages that were the daily readings for today. The gospel reading was from John 13 where it talks about Jesus at the last supper.  Verse 23 says, "one of his disciples, whom Jesus loved, was reclining at the table close to Jesus..."

I got stuck on that phrase, "whom Jesus loved." John is the writer here, and I absolutely love that he refers to himself as the one whom Jesus loved.

I think we all need to adopt that as the way we describe ourselves. Liam- the one whom Jesus loves. Emily- the one whom Jesus loves. Anna- the one whom Jesus loves. Micah- the one whom Jesus loves. Elizabeth- the one whom Jesus loves. Jason- the one whom Jesus loves. Bill- the one whom Jesus loves. Taylor- the one whom Jesus loves. It certainly has a nice ring to it.

But more than something that just has a nice ring to it, it can be something that radically transforms the way we act, speak and think.  When I know that I am loved, I am not looking to others to fill in the gaps.  I am secure in who I am and who God is making me to be because I know that I have God's "Never Stopping, Never Giving Up, Unbreaking, Always and Forever Love" (phrase from the Jesus Storybook Bible) as the foundation of everything.

As I was running with your mom this morning, it was so good to catch up after being away for a week. As we traded stories from the week, I felt so known and loved as I painted a picture from our Christmas about some things that were good and some things that were difficult.  She is a wonderful listener (I bet you've noticed that), and she offered wisdom, support and encouragement along the way.

There are people in our lives who help us know this truth that we are "the one whom Jesus loved."  This morning was a shot in the arm for me in that way.  Reading the passage before our run and then getting to have time with your mom helped to reinforce what that passage means.

So, today, Liam, I am praying that you will know that you are one whom Jesus loves. And I am praying for your friendships (especially with Theo who has been such a wonderful friend to you through the years) and for your family relationships that those would be places that would be tangible reminders that you are loved.