a quick word from the gardener

I keep a notebook open when I worship, even in a room full of people. Most of what ends up there is lyrics and scribbled prayers. But one morning I stopped singing and wrote a question instead: what does that even mean?!

The song was about His name. They so often are. "Your Name Is Power." "Break Every Chain." "What a Beautiful Name." We sing that his name is powerful, that his name is worthy, that there's healing in it. And I'd been singing it for years without knowing what I meant.

Is it a magic spell? Say the syllables and something happens? Maybe. But as I sat there and wrote it out, what came was four phrases.

Jesus is Yeshua in Hebrew — Yahweh saves. That’s the plain meaning.

And it kept going for me, especially as I looked towards the cross.

Yahweh heals. (The Greek word for save is the same one used for made well.)

Yahweh redeems — brings good out of what was meant for harm.

Yahweh brings life.

Now when I sing about chains breaking because of His name, I know where the power comes from. As I believe these truths, even the tiniest bit, the chains give. My shame-filled heart, my hurting body, my senseless suffering — even death.

AND I'm not singing alone. Somewhere in this room is a person who has already seen God redeem something. They've watched it happen. Maybe I can believe it on their word until I see it myself.

notes to explore:

deliverance of jesus: my attempts to understand what this means for me.

he is a person: the verbs of God, gathered from the stories of His people

delight: glittery pool

more delights to inspire you →

today’s invitation

Let yourself be small. And beloved.

To say "I am small" can feel like a threat. Small means powerless, out of control — things we've spent our adult lives learning to fear.

That's why we need the other half: I am beloved.

To be small and beloved is to be a child asleep in the backseat, trusting whoever's driving.

To be small and beloved is to be a child unafraid of where her abilities end, ready to call out for help without shame.

To be small and beloved is to know your map of the world has holes in it — and to be curious about them instead of ashamed. To change your mind with joy.

This is peace. Be small. Be beloved. Sink into the shalom of God.

seeded from Unfettered by Mandy Smith →

more on being led one step at a time →

Thank you for going down the path with me today. If this is your first time, I encourage you to check out this note explaining the idea of the digital garden and what's up with the weird title 😄.

Peace to you! ✌️