There are many ways to describe yourself. Many times we describe ourselves by what we have done, or who we know or by our occupation. But when you read the Gospel of John, John the author describes himself as someone who is loved by Jesus and he also says, I am the one who leaned into Jesus. I love this – that is what I want others to say about me. She is someone who leans into Jesus and He loves her! Do you want to be known as a woman who leans into Jesus and is loved by God?
My next thought, what does that look like to lean into Jesus? We find these answers from the biographies of the men and women in the Bible. Who leaned into Jesus?
I immediately thought of Joseph. Joseph hated by his brothers, sold into slavery, falsely accused, and then imprisoned for the crime he didn’t commit. Joseph leaned into God for protection.
Deborah, a warrior woman for God. The only female Judge during a wicked time in history. The Israelites had become slaves to the Canaanites. Deborah leaned into Jesus for wisdom and with God’s direction she helped free the Israelites from the Canaanites.
Zaccheaus a tax collector who cheated people out of money. He had a lot of money, but he had no joy. We know that because He climbs up in a Sycamore tree, to lean into what Jesus is saying. Zaccheus leaned into Jesus to hear the truth.
Think about the the ordinary men and women of the faith who leaned into Jesus and how their lives changed for the better
Ask yourselves what are you leaning into today? Whatever you are leaning into is where you find your identity!