The Sunburn:Reflecting on Grace Relieves the Sting
By Meg Bucher
Some time later God tested Abraham. He said to him, “Abraham!”
“Here I am,” he replied. -Genesis 22:1
“OUCH!!!!”one of my kids screamed.
“SHE SLAPPED MY SUNBURN!!!”
Mine isn’t the only household this calamity has ensued in. One sibling wasn’t paying attention to the other, so the other sibling decided to take matters into her own hands …with a slap …to fresh sunburn.
I consoled the tears with lightly squeezed hugs and air-applied aloe vera …but payback would soon come. A payback slap was already being calculated …I could tell.
In today’s verse, God is trying to get Abraham’s attention.
“Abraham.”
I love that when God wants our attention, He will call us by name. For us, it’s not audible, but our calling is no less individualized. We are each created with such definitive purpose, but never slapped into paying attention. Sin is consequential, and that hurts, but God calls.
“(Insert Your Name)”
He will keep calling us until we answer,
“Here I am.”
Father, Praise You for calling us by name. It reminds us of how special each one of us are to You. Thank You for building a purpose into each of our lives. A purpose and a plan that is beyond our mind’s ability to comprehend. Forgive us for turning from Your voice. Help us to grow in Your Word and to follow Your Son to and in the calling and purpose for our lives.
In Jesus’ Name,
Amen.