Deuteronomy 26:16-19  “The Lord your God commands you this day to follow these decrees and laws; carefully observe them with all your heart and with all your soul. You have declared this day that the Lord is your God and that you will walk in obedience to him, that you will keep his decrees, commands and laws—that you will listen to him. And the Lord has declared this day that you are his people, his treasured possession as he promised, and that you are to keep all his commands. He has declared that he will set you in praise, fame and honor high above all the nations he has made and that you will be a people holy to the Lord your God, as he promised.” (NIV)

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What is God’s disposition toward those who enter into relationship with him? This paragraph provides a broad measure of understanding. Let’s make a list of God’s thoughts toward us:

1. We are his people.
2. We are his treasured possession.
3. He will establish us in praise, fame, and honor.
4. He will make us holy, set apart for mission, and to be a blessing.

God invites you into a loving relationship in which he names you his own, making you his treasured possession. You may not look like much to other people, but to him, you couldn’t be more handsome or lovely. He delights in you as if you were the only person alive. 

His purpose for our lives lived out in our moments and days enriches our world and is celebrated in heaven. God wants to accomplish things through us that only we can truly fulfill as we depend on him and follow his directions. 

This realization shifts our understanding and thinking. We move from wondering what all we can get from God, and replace it with what all God can do through us to build a better world. 

On this Monday, as we enter into a new workweek, how will what we do when we’re alone, when we gather with family and friends, and when we work cause more peace, beauty, and wonder? 

Weekly planning may be done, but the shape of our week will be determined largely by our intentions. What do you say we take a step back from the warfare of this past weekend and seek the Prince of Peace together? What if we work to relieve suffering and rescue the perishing? What if we add our weight to those who join God in seeking his highest and best for all people everywhere?

God blesses the world through those he calls his own. Jesus still blesses peacemakers. May we now and forever live as instruments of God’s peace.

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I will live as a child of God, focused on a peaceful, gracious life that blesses the world.

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Our Father, empower each one of us to become who you want us to be, and to do what you want us to do. Deliver us from the accuracy of the accusation that we are so heavenly-minded that we are of no earthly good. Make us so heavenly-minded that we live, work, and play in such a manner that we build more heaven on earth here and now. Amen.