Ephesians 1:3-4 – Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places, just as he chose us in Christ before the foundation of the world to be holy and blameless before him in love. (NRSV)

I once heard a story about a child who was taught a special tune in his native village. His teacher told him that if he forgot it when he grew up and went out into the world, he should come right back home and learn it all over again.

We live in a world that aches for love, that hungers for a sign of God's caring. Although we may remember a time when the world seemed to shine with God's goodness, sometimes it seems like that was a long time ago in a faraway place.

Earthquakes and famines, floods and fires, disease and death, terrorist activities and accidents cause some people to doubt their faith in a good God Who cares.

And then, some little blessing: a green light, a parking space, the sound of a favourite hymn, a note from a friend, a chance meeting, a smile, a hug … and we're apt to say jokingly, "There is a God!"

But there is an element of truth in all our joking.

We're reminded of a time, before we ventured out into the world, when we knew our true name: Beloved of God. And we're brought back to that place to learn our song all over again.

Sometimes, even ministers forget the tune and have to come back to learn it all over again. One year, when I came back to the office after the Christmas break, I didn't know if I had the strength to go on. It had been a difficult year. I found a package sitting on my desk. Inside the package was a card explaining that the gift was a prayer shawl worn by many Christian and Jewish women in Israel.

I unfolded it, and read these words from Song of Solomon 6:3 and 2:4 inscribed on the material: "I am my beloved's and my beloved is mine. His banner over me is love." I was reminded of a chorus that we used to sing together with the children of the Sunday school in my home congregation:

My Beloved is mine and I am His
His banner over me is love

He brought me to His banqueting table
His banner over me is love

He lifts me up on a firm foundation,
His banner over me is love

And I whispered to myself, "There is a God! And God cares!" I learned the tune all over again and was ready to face the world once more.

We were made for love, destined for love, chosen for love, from the beginning of time.

Whenever we feel as if no one cares or understands, let us remember the tune that God played at our birth. I think that it's a cross between Jesus loves me and these verses:

Isaiah 43:1,4a – But now thus says the Lord, he who created you … I have called you by name, you are mine. … You are precious in my sight, and honored, and I love you. (NRSV)

And if we forget the tune, may we come right back home and learn it all over again!

Prayer: Dear God, help us always to remember how very much You love us. Amen.

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About the author:

Helen Hartai <helenhartai@gmail.com>
Nestleton, Ontario, Canada
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