My students come from places I could not imagine. They have done and seen things I wish never to see or hear of. Today after class one of my students lingered. I try to take note and not hurry out lest I miss someone who needs me. He was in his twenties and from the Bronx. I had begun class with a passage from John 10 where Jesus promises to hold us safely in His hand. Not looking me squarely in the eye he said, “Why would God want me?” Great question. Why would God want any of us? Especially those of us who think we have reasons for being wanted. We are most likely the worst cases with which God has to deal.
Opening my Bible I read to him from Ephesians 2. Paul wrote, “God . . . hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus: That in the ages to come he might show the exceeding riches of his grace in his kindness toward us through Christ Jesus.” Why do I like Christmas? Why do I like birthdays? So I can give those I love something nice. There it is. God saves us for the express purpose of showering us with exceeding riches of grace and kindness. In ages to come we will be granted intellectual gifts, privileges beyond our present imaginations.
Thousands of years ago God said, “Let us make man in our image.” He never stopped dreaming that dream. Today before you go to bed look in a mirror and see the raw material of the image of God. Yes, you. Ages and ages hence you will be so like Him we will have trouble telling the difference. How grand!
Written by Roger Bothwell on September 25, 2009
Spring of Life Ministry, PO Box 124, St. Helena, CA 94574
rogerbothwell.org