The Five Minute Friday prompt this week is … Define. You can click at the bottom of this post to get to Kate Motaung’s site and read all that has been shared on this word.
Over the course of my days, I have been defined by many adjectives … baby, daughter, sister, classmate, student, co-worker, girlfriend, wife, in-law, mom, Mimi … to just name a few.
Some labels have been worn proudly. Others, not even listed, I would prefer to forget.
The word ‘define’ as defined by dictionary.com means “to state or set forth the meaning of ; to describe”.
As I sat looking at those very words, it hits deeply that only God can state or set forth the meaning of our lives. He has called us, loved us, chosen us, adopted us, purchased us, and identified us as his own (read Ephesians, chapter 1 for proof of all this).
Christ defines us as His friends when we love and obey Him:
“You are my friends if you do what I command. I no longer call you slaves, because a master doesn’t confide in his slaves. Now you are my friends, since I have told you everything the Father told me. You didn’t choose me. I chose you. I appointed you to go and produce lasting fruit …” (John 15:14-16a, NLT)
Jesus Himself defines us as His friends. Both Abraham and Moses were also called friends of God. This is the highest, and most meaningful, relationship possible between Jesus and His people. Jesus chose His friends.
He has chosen us. Appointed us. May our lives produce lasting fruit.
May we define ourselves in exactly the same way He has defined us –
as His friends.
Today I am joining … Five Minute Friday and Faith On Fire and Faith Filled Friday and Faith ”˜N Friends and #DanceWithJesus and Fresh Market Friday .
I love so much that Jesus calls me Friend. (That song always makes me teary.) It is so incredible that the God of the universe wants to be my friend. I need to remember that when I get caught up in all the other definitions of life…. Thanks so much for this encouragement! (Visiting from FMF)
To think that I went from being an enemy of God to a friend is humbling. I think about the relationships in my life that aren’t friendly – not that I would call them enemies, but they definitely aren’t friends. The leap it would take in forgiveness, mercy and grace to make myself friendly toward them reminds me of the depths of Jesus’s work on the cross for my sake, to make me a friend of God’s. Thank you for this encouragement today!
Amen, Joanne. May we define ourselves exactly as He has called us. #faithonfire
I find it incredibly interesting how a word can be written about in so many different ways. Thank you for praying, friend. I cannot tell you how much that matters and means to me. (((xo))) Tell your girls I bought some colored pencils and I’ve been coloring!
“only God can state or set forth the meaning of our lives.” Amen, sister!
Also, to think of being as close to God, completely by His grace, as Moses and Abraham, is such a humbling thought. But praise the Lord for making it possible!
Love this! We are defined as “children of God” I’m in the 55 spot this week.
Thank you for this reminder. God’s labels of us are powerful and move us to wear our faith proudly!
#Faith’nFriends