Yesterday morning we thought together about how Jesus lived into the story of Israel by His baptism in the Jordan River and following temptation in the wilderness. And because Jesus lived into the Story in this way, we are able to recognize our privledged place in God’s economy.

One of the central elements of our gathering was the truth that – as N.T. Wright says – “The whole Christian gospel could be summed up in this point: that when the living God looks at us, at every baptized and believing Christian, he says to us what he said to Jesus on that day. He sees us, not as we are in ourselves, but as we are in Jesus Christ… God looks at us, and says, ‘You are my dear, dear child; I’m delighted with you.’”

And yet, we often believe otherwise, because whether we like it or not, we absorb the comments of others.

How, then, can we find ways to instead remember what God says of – and to – us?

Are there ways we can remind one another of this beautiful reality?

Are there practical ways in which this truth we’ve “heard on the mountaintops” can comfort and guide us even “in the valleys”?