Day 7 - "God knows."

Jesus has authority, all authority in heaven and on Earth, that was given to him by God the Father.  He came to Earth to live out that authority while in the frail, temporal form that is our human body.  He became flesh and dwelt among us. He grew in wisdom and stature, learning what it was like to be human.  He was tempted in all points like we are, yet he was without sin.

We know that Jesus' words--even as a boy--amazed those who heard them, especially since he didn't come from a prestigious background. He always took responsibility for his words and his actions.  And, Jesus took responsibility for his emotions. 

Even being tempted in the desert, or while praying in the Garden of Gethsemane, Jesus could have used his trump card to get out of what had been planned for him since the foundation of the worlds.  But, he took responsibility for his authority, fulfilling his mission by remaining in control of himself.  

I was reminded at church this morning that God knows where we are. He knows what we are going through.  Jesus reminded us in the Sermon on the Mount that we shouldn't worry about what we eat, drink, wear, even the hairs on our head or the number of minutes in our lives. Rather, we should seek God's kingdom and his righteousness first. Then, these things will be added unto us.  Why?  Because God knows who we are and where we are? Yes, but, I'm reminded tonight that God knows the how and why of who, what, where and when we are.

God knows what it's like to hurt as a human. He knows what it's like to be shamed, guilted, invalidated, neglected, abused, abandoned. He knows what it's like to be framed for things, to be accused of capital crimes. Yet, he didn't sin.  Not once. He was responsible for his feelings and acted appropriately. He was responsible for his words and acted as such. He was responsible for his authority given to him.  And so, he asks for us to do the same, having provided both the perfect example in Jesus, and the Counselor/Comforter in the Holy Spirit to reminded us that he knows what it's like where we are and what's happening. 

I am not responsible for other people's actions (unless I somehow manipulated or exerted authority over them).  I am not responsible for other people's words.  I am not responsible for other people's emotions.

I am responsible for my actions.  I am responsible for my tongue.  I am responsible for my emotions. I am responsible for those over whom I've been given some sort of authority.  And, I follow Christ's example to do such, because God knows.