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The Letters
February 1, 2010
More than twenty years ago I met a sister I didn't grow up with. We had no internet yet, no cell phones, and long distance calls were pricy. She lived in Iowa and I lived in Washington. We corresponded through 'snail mail'.
I had a decorated shoe box that I put all her letters in, rereading them often getting to know her although I hadn't seen her. I was learning what she liked and didn't like. Then a letter came, in it she said she was coming for a visit. How would I recognize her at the airport? How would I know it was her? I got the box of letters out and reread them again and again and again.
I would look for a woman of my height and weight. I would look for a woman wearing a watch that matched her outfit. I would look for a woman with very short hair wearing glasses. I would look for a woman with a smile on her face and kindness in her eyes. I knew what to look for because of how she described herself in her letters.
It's the same way I know how to recognize Jesus in my life. I read His book. It describes Him perfectly. Like rereading my sister's letters I need to reread the Bible. That's how I get to know Him better so I can love Him more.
My sister longed for connection to the siblings she didn't know. She, being the oldest, wanted to have a relationship with a family she was denied. She wanted to know us on a deeper level.
In the same way, God wanted to have a relationship with us, so He sent His son. Then recorded it for all of us to experience who He is and what He is like. He longed to interact with us on a deeper level. He gave us His Word so we could know Him better and we could love Him more.
I had another opportunity to see my sister in person a couple years ago and she hadn't changed. She had a smile on her face and kindness in her eyes. We now communicate through email but she is the same as she was in the letters she sent so long ago. I know her better and have grown to love her more.
Hebrews 13:8 says, "Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever." He is the same today as He was when His Word was written. As I reread His letters to me I know Him better and love Him more.
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