Wrist reminders

“Fix these words of mine in your hearts and minds; tie them as symbols on your hands and bind them on your foreheads.” Deuteronomy 11:18 NIV

I have always been struck by the paradox of our existence before a holy God.

On the one hand, we are made in his image and he placed us a little lower than the angels. He walked with Adam in the garden. We have a special place in creation and in his heart

“So God created mankind in his own image, in the image of God he created them; male and female he created them.” Genesis 1:27 NIV

Then after the fall he made a plan to redeem us, to restore us, to allow us once again to fully enjoy him and walk with him again. To do so he provided a plan which he paid a great price— the death of his son.

In the other hand, compared to God’s holiness we are mere dust not deserving of anything. Like Job’s friend we have to ask how can we be right before God.

“How then can a mortal be righteous before God? How can one born of woman be pure? If even the moon is not bright and the stars are not pure in his eyes, how much less a mortal, who is but a maggot— a human being, who is only a worm!” Job 25:4-6 NIV

I recently bought some bracelets to wear.

On my left arm I wear a bracelet that says “more than a conqueror”. That is a bold statement and might come off as prideful and arrogant. But, I wear it in such a way that when I look at it I can read it. It’s not a proclamation to others who I meet and greet, but a reminder to me in my dark and weak moments that in Christ, I have nothing to fear and nothing can overcome me.

On the other hand, my right arm, I wear a bracelet that says, “I am not my own.” I wear it in such a way that when I reach out to shake someone’s hand and greet them they will be able to read it. It is meant as a humble confession that I have surrendered and belong to someone greater than myself.

Several years ago I took this picture of a colorful leaf laying on my driveway. I thought it was a great metaphor for our lives as Christians. But I couldn’t decide if we are fallen but beautiful or beautiful but fallen.

In the end maybe it’s both at the same time for now. But someday and even now we were beautiful in God’s perfect image but completely fallen and now being restored and being made new.

Ultimately, maybe it’s not so much a paradox, as a testament to the height of God’s love and the depth of our fall, and athe amazing power of grace that bridges that gap. And with humility, we can believe that we are not our own and therefore we are more than conquerors.