Jesus shows us what it means to be family. We are fully seen and known by him. Even after diving deep into the details of our lives he still calls us family. This is how we are called to love each other as well. To go out of our way and be troubled by what troubles others is the love Jesus challenges us to live.

It feels good to be chosen, because it communicates to us that we are wanted. It communicates that not only are we welcomed, but we are wanted. It creates a sense of belonging. Psychologists since the 1950s have said that a sense of belonging is a fundamental human need. You feel like you belong when you know you have been chosen. As followers of Jesus we have been chosen, not for salvation, but for a vocation, for a mission to bear the image of God in the world. We live in a wolf-world and Jesus isn't sending us out to be a better version of the wolf. Jesus is sending us out like sheep among wolves. Jesus is sending us out to be distinctly different, a chosen and holy people. It is through our holiness, our distinctiveness, that we fulfill God's call for us.

You were made to worship, because you are human. Worship is a human quality. We all have the capacity to look towards something outside ourselves, to give attention to some version of the good life, to give our hearts and devotion to something or someone. This is what worship is and we were made for this. Our hearts were made for worship just as our bodies were made to move. We were made for worship. For followers of Jesus, God is looking for worshipers who will worship God in spirit and truth.

From Moses to Mary we see God calling individuals to specific tasks and special vocations through peculiar and powerful events. This can leave us awestruck and distraught at the same time, wondering what our calling may be and if we have missed our calling. In Christ we discover that we are all called and our calling is more about who are becoming than what we are specifically doing.

We are created to be people of peace. Jesus is present with us in the midst of our fears and worries. Rather than participate in the chaos Jesus invites us into the peace of His presence through prayer. Prayer is the place that makes space for peace.

There is a sense in our day that the drive for more is driving us crazy. Jesus wants to liberate us from this madness of more, setting us free to rest in his grace. Jesus says to us, “Come to me, all who are weary and heavy-laden and I will give you rest.” May we learn to walk the way of thankfulness and trust, seeing more than enough wherever we look.

The second most important question a person can answer is "Who are you?" This question follows the most important question "Who is Jesus?" As we look to Jesus and the cross we can honestly answer, "I am loved." Shame is soul-crushing and can keep us from believing the truth about who we really are. The good news is that shame has been defeated by Jesus' death and resurrection. The words of shame are not who we are. We are people who are loved. In the words of Henri Nouwen, “We are not what we do. We are not what we have. We are not what others think of us. Coming home is claiming the truth. I am the beloved child of a loving Creator. We no longer have to beg for permission from the world to exist.”

Mama, take this badge off of meI can’t use it anymoreIt’s gettin’ dark, too dark to seeI feel I’m knockin’ on heaven’s doorKnock, knock, knockin’ on heaven’s doorKnock, knock, knockin’ on heaven’s doorKnock, knock, knockin’ on heaven’s doorKnock, knock, knockin’ on heaven’s doorMama, put my guns in the groundI can’t shoot them anymoreThat long black cloud is comin’ downI feel I’m knockin’ on heaven’s doorKnock, knock, knockin’ on heaven’s doorKnock, knock, knockin’ on heaven’s doorKnock, knock, knockin’ on heaven’s doorKnock, knock, knockin’ on heaven’s door

Jesus just left ChicagoAnd he's bound for New OrleansWell now, Jesus just left ChicagoAnd he's bound for New OrleansWorkin' from one end to the other and all points in betweenTook a junk through MississippiWell, muddy water turned to wineTook a junk through MississippiMuddy water turned to wineThen out to California through the forests and the pinesAh, take me with you, JesusYou might not see him in personBut he'll see you just the sameYou might not see him in personBut he'll see you just the sameYou don't have to worry 'cause takin' care of business is his name

Now I've been happy latelyThinking about the good things to comeAnd I believe it could beSomething good has begunOh, I've been smiling latelyDreaming about the world as oneAnd I believe it could beSomeday it's going to come'Cause out on the edge of darknessThere rides a peace trainOh, peace train take this countryCome take me home againNow I've been smiling lately,Thinking about the good things to comeAnd I believe it could be,Something good has begunOh, peace train sounding louderGlide on the peace trainCome on now peace trainYes, peace train holy rollerEveryone jump upon the peace trainCome on now, peace trainGet your bags together,Go bring your good friends, too'Cause it's getting nearer,It soon will be with youNow come and join the living,It's not so far from youAnd it's getting nearer,Soon it will all be trueOh, peace train sounding louderGlide on the peace trainCome on the peace trainPeace trainNow I've been crying lately,Thinking about the world as it isWhy must we go on hating,Why can't we live in bliss'Cause out on the edge of darkness,There rides a peace trainOh peace train take this country,Come take me home againOh, peace train sounding louderGlide on the peace trainCome on the peace trainYes, peace train holy rollerEveryone jump upon the peace trainCome on, come on, come onYes, come on, the peace trainYes, it's the peace trainCome on the peace trainOh, peace train