Sunday mornings begin when the sky remains dark, followed by a sunrise walk with Gracie. Then, after a thirty minute drive, I enjoy three hours with my granddaughters before taking a leisurely walk to church. After the girls are dropped off, I hop in the car and drive 15 minutes to Waterstone Church where I worship and savor space with God in community. Sundays mark a new week, a new beginning, for me.
Playing with the girls left its mark on me. As I played hide and go seek with Eve and Ellie, I threw open the closet door (which Ellie was hiding behind) to declare, “Found you.” However, I misjudged the door opening and hit my right cheek rather forcefully. I felt surprised and stunned for a moment. The girls stopped and watched me. I assured them, I was alright and the game continued. Nevertheless, my cheek bone throbbed.
A few moments later, as Ellie ran to “find” me hiding behind an exercise ball, her little head collided with my aching cheek. She bounded off, and again, I felt stunned. I gathered my whits, yet noticed the throbbing on my face.
Although my cheek pounded, it wasn’t until I got home from church that I took a peek at my face. A nice round bump protruded from my cheek and the beginnings of a purple rainbow took place. The morning left a mark. A mark of play, surprise, and connection.
Mark – a small area on a surface having a different color from its surroundings, typically one caused by accident or damage; a characteristic of someone or something; to have a lasting or significant effect.
The beating of my cheek reminds me of the mark I received this morning. The Holy Spirit stirs within my inner being. How does Jesus mark our lives? In what ways does living with God leave a mark on me? Where do I notice the mark of the Trinity in the world?
The apostle Paul referred to the marks of Christ he received in Galatians 6:17: “for I bear on my body the marks of Jesus.” From his cultural context, Paul referenced the marks, branding, slaves received signifying to whom the slave belonged. The marks on the slave’s body identified servitude to one master. Paul (mind, heart, and body) boldly declared his servitude to one Master, Jesus Christ. His body exhibited literal marks, scars left by beatings, stonings, and turmoil for the sake of Christ, as well as the mark upon his mind and heart devoted to Jesus Christ (Acts 16:22-23, Acts, 14:19, Acts 21:32-32, Philippians 3:8, Galatians 2:20).
We bear the marks of whatever enslaves us…what and whom do you serve? What marks us as followers of Jesus? How do we experience the lasting effects of being marked as the beloved of God? In what ways do those who declare Jesus is Lord leave a mark in society?
Contemplate these questions…what stirs within you? What surprises you? How does God meet you as you ponder?
According to Galatians 5:19-21, the marks of the world include: “sexual immorality, impurity and debauchery; idolatry and witchcraft; hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions, and envy; drunkenness, orgies, and the like.” Take a honest look at yourself – do any of these mark your life? If so, take a moment to receive the invitation of God to change, repent. Confess and receive the forgiveness and cleansing of God (1 John 1:9).
The marks of God reveal attributes of “love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, generosity, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control” – Galatians 5:22-23. To be marked by God means we have His characteristics. It means we function impacted by the presence of God.
Do you bear the brand of Jesus Christ? Is it evident to the world that you belong to God and choose to live in the way of Jesus?
Let yourself be stunned and surprised by God. Welcome His mark even when it includes hardship and suffering. Know that the mark of Christ on your life proclaims connection to and allegiance for the one true God.
This week – – –
Reflect. Romans 1:20 – “For since the creation of the world God’s invisible qualities—his eternal power and divine nature—have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that people are without excuse.” Look for the marks of God throughout your day. Where do you see the invisible qualities of God exhibited around you? How do you experience His love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, generosity, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control in the people and circumstances of the day? Notice the ways God leaves His mark in the world.
Request. Will you yield to the transforming power of God in your life? Ask God to broaden and increase His mark upon your life. Pray a prayer of servitude, surrendering to the Lord God Almighty, forsaking the marks of the world.
Receive. As a follower of Jesus, realize and receive your belovedness in God. You are loved. Let it move from a thought in your brain to a reality in your heart. Meditate on the truth that God is love and He loves you. “See what great love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are! The reason the world does not know us is that it did not know him. Beloved, now we are children of God, and what we will be has not yet been made known. But we know that when Christ appears, we shall be like him, for we shall see him as he is. All who have this hope in him purify themselves, just as he is pure” – 1 John 3:1-3
Drips from the Word: Muse about these Bible verses. Let these truths impact your living.
Philippians 3:7-8 – But whatever were gains to me I now consider loss for the sake of Christ. What is more, I consider everything a loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things. I consider them garbage, that I may gain Christ.
Galatians 2:20 – I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.
Splashes from the Spigot: Drink from deep wells. Read these recommended books to fill your soul.
Thomas E. Trask and Wayde I. Goodall. The Fruit of the Spirit: Becoming the Person God Wants You to Be. Colorado Springs, CO. 2018.
R.C. Sproul. Hard Sayings: Understanding Difficult Passages of Scripture. Sandford, FL. 2023.
Sprinklings of Truth: Soak in meaningful songs. Check out these music videos to lift up your spirit.
Brian Free & Assurance & Jimmy Fortune. Looks Like Jesus. Click here to watch & listen.
Jeremy Camp. No Survivors. Click here to watch and listen.
Puddles for Prayer: Thank you for praying for upcoming travel and speaking engagements.
If you didn’t receive my Rwanda Reflections email, please just let me know and I’ll send it to you.
August 3-7 – Littleton, CO – Denver Seminary, Certificate in Spiritual Direction Cohort
August 13-17 – Lincoln, CA – Visit my parents and siblings
October 16-18 – Buena Vista, CO – Waterstone Church Women’s Retreat
October 31-November 4 – Quarryville, PA – Black Rock Retreat – Breathe Deeply – A Soul Care Encounter for Women
🙏 If you would like to partner with me through financial giving, click here to give a tax-deductible gift to The Soulcare Anchoress Fund.
Thank you! 🌷
To read Spigots written since 2018, click here: The Spigot