The einstein

The einstein

He makes the whole body fit together perfectly. As each part does its own special work, it helps the other parts grow, so that the whole body is healthy and growing and full of love. – Ephesians 4:16

1 Corinthians 12:12-27

 12 The human body has many parts, but the many parts make up one whole body. So it is with the body of Christ.

 14 Yes, the body has many different parts, not just one part.

 15 If the foot says, “I am not a part of the body because I am not a hand,” that does not make it any less a part of the body.

 16 And if the ear says, “I am not part of the body because I am not an eye,” would that make it any less a part of the body?

 17 If the whole body were an eye, how would you hear? Or if your whole body were an ear, how would you smell anything?

 18 But our bodies have many parts, and God has put each part just where he wants it.

 19 How strange a body would be if it had only one part!

 20 Yes, there are many parts, but only one body.

 21 The eye can never say to the hand, “I don’t need you.” The head can’t say to the feet, “I don’t need you.”

 22 In fact, some parts of the body that seem weakest and least important are actually the most necessary.

 23 And the parts we regard as less honorable are those we clothe with the greatest care. So, we carefully protect those parts that should not be seen,

 24 while the more honorable parts do not require this special care. So God has put the body together such that extra honor and care are given to those parts that have less dignity.

 25 This makes for harmony among the members, so that all the members care for each other.

 26 If one part suffers, all the parts suffer with it, and if one part is honored, all the parts are glad.

 27 All of you together are Christ’s body, and each of you is a part of it.

For over six decades, scientists and mathematicians grappled with an elusive geometry problem: creating a shape that tiles a surface without repeating patterns. This mysterious shape earned the name “einstein tile” (from the German ein = one + stein = stone).

In 2022, amateur mathematician David Smith made a breakthrough by discovering this elusive shape, which he fittingly dubbed “the hat” due to its resemblance to a fedora. Published in 2023, Smith’s discovery showcased an aperiodic 13-sided polygon that can completely cover a surface without gaps and without forming repetitive clusters.

This elegant and simple solution has finally put to rest a long-standing geometric puzzle.

Getting individual pieces to fit together correctly without gaps, overlaps, or repetition, as the new einstein fedora tile does, is not merely a conundrum for mathematics.

Just as the new einstein fedora tile fits together seamlessly without gaps, overlaps, or repetition, so too are the individual members of the body of Christ designed to work in perfect harmony. Each part, much like the tiles, is intelligently crafted to function together, creating a cohesive and unified whole. Just as the human body relies on its various parts to cooperate and perform their roles, the body of Christ flourishes when its members fit together and work in unison.

REFLECT & PRAY

“Since we all belong to each other, we should desire the welfare of each other” (Stanley).

Father, guide me to understand and embrace the role You have designed me to play in the body of Christ. Help me make the unique contribution You intended. Help me to “play nice” with all the other pieces.

INSIGHT

Ephesians 4:16 From whom the whole body, being fitted and held together by what every joint supplies, according to the proper working of each individual part, causes the growth of the body for the building up of itself in love.

The Greek word translated as “fit together” is sunarmologeo. This term means to connect or join components to form a unified whole, much like stones in a building. The idea of how different parts of the body integrate can be expressed in several ways, such as “the body parts interconnect,” “all parts come together to create a whole,” “to cause to merge,” or “combine to form one body.”

Paul introduced this term by joining the prepositional prefix sun – “with”andthe rare verb harmologeo, meaning “to join together.” According to Wuest, this suggests that the body is intricately framed and knit together by joints, each part fulfilling its own role and function.

Paul used sunarmologeo to describe the meticulous process of constructing with stones, a task much more painstaking in the first century due to the absence of mortar. Instead, ancient craftsmen would carefully cut and smooth stones to ensure a flawless fit between them.

If these ancient builders could arrange stones with such precision and skill, we can trust that the Father even more skillfully designs and places individuals within the body of Christ. This divine craftsmanship ensures internal unity and harmony among the children of the King, who are all recipients of His grace (Hoehner).

1 Corinthians 12:12-27

 12 The human body has many parts, but the many parts make up one whole body. So it is with the body of Christ.

 14 Yes, the body has many different parts, not just one part.

 20 Yes, there are many parts, but only one body.

 27 All of you together are Christ’s body, and each of you is a part of it.

Paul depicted the Church as a human body, with different parts coming together and maintaining inherent unity through the unifying force of the Lord Jesus Christ.

“Paul now emphasizes the necessity of having diversity in a body for it to operate as one. Each part (such as the eye or the ear) must be willing to perform its own function and not seek to function in a role for which it was not made. The whole body cannot be a single part, or it would not be a functioning body. So it is with the church. Members with one gift should not repudiate that gift and complain that they do not have some other gift. The apostles were to function as apostles, the elders as elders (1 Peter 5:5), the deacons as deacons (Acts 6:1-6), etc.”

“The logic of 1 Corinthians 12:17 is compelling: nobody can function as all eye, all hearing, or all smelling. So, for the church to function properly, it must have different gifts and offices. In 1 Corinthians 12:18-20 Paul brings the believers back to the sovereign purposes of God. It is God who has organized the body in the way he wants it. The implication is that it is the same with the church; according to God’s will, it is composed of many parts, so that it may function as one body – the body of Christ” (EBC).

Paul extends this analogy by declaring, “You are the body of Christ.” This profound truth applies to every believer. Given that the Lord Jesus Christ is no longer physically present on Earth, any task the Father wishes to accomplish must be done through us. We are literally called to be the body of Christ, serving as His hands to do His work, His feet to carry out His missions, and His voice to speak on His behalf.

This represents the highest honor for every believer. Each of us is an integral part of the body of Christ on Earth (Barclay).

It doesn’t take an Einstein to be an einstein.

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© Dr. H 2024

Without a firm foundation ∙

Without a firm foundation ∙

If the foundations are destroyed, what can the righteous do? – Psalms 11:3

Psalms 17:3-15

 3 You have tested my thoughts and examined my heart in the night. You have scrutinized me and found nothing wrong. I am determined not to sin in what I say.

 4 I have followed your commands, which keep me from following cruel and evil people.

 5 My steps have stayed on your path; I have not wavered from following you.

 6 I am praying to you because I know you will answer, O God. Bend down and listen as I pray.

 7 Show me your unfailing love in wonderful ways. By your mighty power, you rescue those who seek refuge from their enemies.

 8 Guard me as you would guard your own eyes. Hide me in the shadow of your wings.

 15 Because I am righteous, I will see you. When I awake, I will see you face to face and be satisfied.

According to legend, Rome was founded in 753 B.C. by Romulus and Remus, twin sons of Mars, the god of war. Romulus became Rome’s first king. In 27 B.C., Augustus became the first emperor of Rome. Augustus’ rule ushered in the Pax Romana, which resulted in two centuries of peace and prosperity. A vast, powerful empire flourished.

Despite its long and tumultuous history, the Roman Empire ultimately fell due to its own excesses and corruption. As the empire became increasingly bloated, it began to lose control over its provinces, and one by one, they slipped from its grasp. In September 476 A.D., a Germanic prince named Odovacar dealt a decisive blow to the Roman army in Italy, marking a regrettable end to the empire’s once-glorious legacy.

Historians continue to debate the reasons for Rome’s collapse. Several key factors include barbarian invasions, economic troubles, overexpansion, military overspending, government corruption, political instability, loss of traditional values, the division of the Empire between East and West, and the weakening of Rome’s military.

Ultimately, the foundation upon which the Roman Empire was built disintegrated, leading to its fall. The Roman Empire was no more, but its legacy continues to shape modern civilization.

David, king of Israel, was going through similar turmoil. The foundation of his nation, the principles of Mosaic law and justice, and the institutions derived from them were being undermined (Psalm 11:3). When the foundations are destroyed, a complete breakdown of law and order in the community follows. The FRCL translates it as “The standards of the society are in ruins” (UBS).

The Hebrew word translated as destroyed or collapsed is haras. Haras refers to something that has been destroyed or damaged irreparably. It is the verb used to describe the destruction of the Egyptian armies at the Red Sea (Exodus 15:7). The results of this activity are often horrific, appalling, ghastly, disgusting, or loathsome.

REFLECT & PRAY

During challenging times, David’s closest advisors and friends tempted him to doubt. He had to choose between giving in to fear or maintaining his faith. He chose faith.

Father, You are supreme above all, conquering every challenge that arises. When any child of the King encounters hardships, You offer to come alongside them and face their trials with You at their side (Matthew 28:20, Daniel 3). There is no need for fear or retreat.

INSIGHT

David had known the Father since he was a small boy. In human terms, they were not just friends; they were BFFs, Best Friends Forever. The Father was with him during those dark, lonely nights while he watched over his sheep. He was there when David prayed, responding with gentle, loving, inaudible whispers. The Father witnessed this faithful child develop the confidence to withstand every trial until Bathsheba.

Psalms 11:1 I trust in the LORD for protection. So why do you say to me, “Fly like a bird to the mountains for safety?”

The same could not be said of his advisors. They saw only the impending, threatening storm and failed to recognize the Father who had power over it. In modern times, Doppler radar alerts people on the ground when severe weather approaches and warnings are issued to evacuate when deadly hurricanes loom. To David’s fainthearted counselors, it seemed as though a man-made hurricane was imminent. They believed the situation was hopeless and that The Nation of Israel was doomed. They strongly urged him to flee and save himself: “Fly like a bird to the mountains for safety!”

This puzzled David. Don’t they know who David is? More importantly, don’t they know who the Father is? Indeed, they should be aware of David’s faith and confidence in the Father. He totally trusted in the Lord for protection. The Father could undoubtedly handle the situation. There is no reason to fear or run away. David rejects their well-meaning, fact-based advice. He is determined to stand his ground no matter what.

He counters with “a spirited retort to some demoralizing advice” (Kidner). He asks them a question, the gist of which is, “How can you say such a thing?” No doubt, he thought something like, “The difficulties we face now might be bad, but they are not that bad. I have faced greater problems for far longer spans of time than this. The Father took care of me then, and He will take care of me now. This too shall pass.”

Psalms 11:3 The foundations of law and order have collapsed. What can the righteous do?

Can you picture his advisors? Do they seem fidgety and nervous? Do you see them shaking as they speak? Are their lips quivering as they try to get the words out? Perhaps under their breath, they were muttering, “What can we do? What can we possibly do?” To their rhetorical question, they had already decided that the answer was “nothing.”

David’s great confidence and faith were derived from years of walking with the Father. How could they be so weak-kneed and unstable? How could they be so filled with fear? Where was their faith?

Psalms 11:4-7

 4 But the LORD is in his holy Temple; the LORD still rules from heaven. He watches everyone closely, examining every person on earth.

 5 The LORD examines both the righteous and the wicked. He hates those who love violence.

 7 For the righteous LORD loves justice. The virtuous will see his face.

David turns them away, unwavering in his stance. With steadfast confidence, he articulates his faith, a faith that assures him of realities beyond his sight. He ponders, “Where is the Father now?” and answers with conviction: “He reigns supreme, enthroned in heaven, overseeing the grand tapestry of history as it unfolds.”

Psalms 2:4 But the one who rules in heaven laughs. The Lord scoffs at them.

The Father’s watchful eye is on both the righteous and the wicked. At any moment, He can step into our world and alter the course of events. The Scriptures overflow with instances of His divine intervention: the parting of the Red Sea, the fall of Jericho, the deliverance from the fiery furnace, and more. With the Father eternally enthroned in heaven, there is no cause for worry. Even when the world appears to be in chaos, David’s unwavering trust in the Father shines through, lighting the path of faith that all the children of the King should walk.

Psalms 11:2-3

 2 The wicked are stringing their bows and fitting their arrows on the bowstrings. They shoot from the shadows at those whose hearts are right.

 3 The foundations of law and order have collapsed.

This sounds eerily familiar to recurring events of the 21st century. Could it be a wake-up call? Without a firm foundation, how can Western Civilization stand?

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© Dr. H 2024

Misinformation and the father of lies ∙

Misinformation and the father of lies ∙

The devil was a murderer from the beginning. He has always hated the truth because there is no truth in him. When he lies, it is consistent with his character, for he is a liar and the father of lies. – John 8:44

2 Corinthians 11:14-15

 14 No wonder, for even Satan disguises himself as an angel of light.

 15 Therefore, it is not surprising if his servants also disguise themselves as servants of righteousness, whose end will be according to their deeds.

2 Corinthians 10:3-5

 3 For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war according to the flesh,

 4 for the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh but divinely powerful for the destruction of fortresses.

 5 We are destroying speculations, and every lofty thing raised up against the knowledge of God, and we are taking every thought captive to the obedience of Christ,

In the information age, the widespread dissemination of misinformation and disinformation has enormous consequences. According to the Encyclopedia Britannica, “Misinformation is the inadvertent spread of false information without intent to harm, while disinformation is false information designed to mislead others and is deliberately spread with the intent to confuse fact and fiction.” In 2018, many analysts and experts identified misinformation as the year’s most pressing issue.

There are many sources of false and misleading information, such as social media platforms, fake news websites, unreliable news outlets, conspiracy theories, deepfakes, influencers, celebrities, and echo chambers (also known as filter bubbles), where individuals are only exposed to information that aligns with their existing beliefs. This cumulative effect often leads many people to question the trustworthiness of any information they encounter.

On August 19, 2018, Rudy Giuliani, then a White House lawyer, controversially stated, “Truth isn’t truth,” implying that truth is subjective and influenced by partisan beliefs. However, we have the power to combat this narrative of misinformation. Misinformation pervades narratives, creating doubt about the obvious and leading to alternate explanations, interpretations, and views that can obscure the facts. By committing to seek and uphold Absolute Truth, we can counter this narrative and bring clarity to the discourse.

Absolute Truth is True Truth. It is a unique gift from the Father. Absolute Truth, with its unwavering nature, is a powerful force that never varies, compromises, or synthesizes. It remains steadfast, confronting all falsehood and deceit. Absolute Truth stands alone against all conflicting opinions and points of view, inspiring confidence in its unshakeable nature.

How do we know when we are being told a lie? To discern lies, we must test all information against the standard of the Word of God. This makes it essential to immerse ourselves in the Word, reflecting on and meditating upon what we read and internalizing its truths in our hearts and minds.

The enemy of our souls, the father of lies, is a master of misinformation and disinformation. He uses lies, deceit, and duplicity to achieve his hidden objectives. The enemy seeks to destroy goodness, chastity, honor, honesty, beauty, and all that makes life lovely. Evil routinely destroys.

In stark contrast, Christ brings life and leads us to life. He provides the Way, the Truth, and the Life that leads to the Father. We can prepare and train our minds for spiritual warfare against the enemy’s forces by taking every thought captive and aligning them with the truth of Christ.

Therefore, it is incumbent upon each child of the King to develop a sophisticated Truth filter. We must equip ourselves to discern truth from falsehood and recognize the enemy’s tactics.

John 8:44 [The evil one] speaks from his own nature, for he is a liar and the father of lies.

The Lord Jesus Christ declares that when the evil one speaks and tells a lie, he is only doing what is natural to him. Thus, whenever he lies, “he is only behaving in accordance with his own character,” or “he is true to his own heart,” or “he is speaking from his own heart” (UBS). He is doing what comes naturally. He disassembles and prevaricates because “Lying speech is his native tongue” (NAB).

REFLECT & PRAY

Each of us can recall a time when we were confused, uncertain, and childlike about the truth of the Word of God. For some of us, that might not have been too long ago, and it may still seem so.

Father, please help me to desire and be energized to engage with and remain in the truth of your Word. Let the truth of Scripture fill my mind, soul, and spirit.

INSIGHT

The Lord Jesus Christ and the enemy are diametrically opposed. While Jesus loves us and desires the best for us, the enemy hates us and seeks our downfall. Jesus brings life and light, whereas the enemy brings death and destruction.

The battleground for this conflict is the mind. The apostle Paul emphasizes the importance of preparing and training our minds for spiritual warfare. We are to take every thought captive and make it obedient to the Truth of the Lord Jesus Christ.

We must recognize and combat the invisible, intangible spiritual forces that the enemy promotes. He continually spreads false information and propaganda that contradicts the Father’s revealed Truth. His half-truths may appear wise and sophisticated, but they are hollow, pretentious, and fallacious, leading to despair, misery, and death.

A Truth filter equips us to separate valuable information from worthless, tangential, and base material. By reflecting on and meditating upon God’s Word, we can internalize the Truth in our minds, souls, and spirits, allowing it to permeate every aspect of our lives.

Jeremiah 15:19 If you extract the precious from the worthless, you will become My spokesman.

How do we become His spokesman?

“The conversion of a soul is the miracle of a moment, but the manufacture of a saint is the task of a lifetime” (Alan Redpath). Conversion happens instantly; maturity takes years.

The Father must bring us to the end of ourselves through brokenness. When His work is complete, our weakness is transformed into strength, hope, and confidence.

We learn to downsize and discard. We purge ourselves of certain traits and habits. We repent of unsuitable goals and desires. Finally, we strip ourselves of all self until we can genuinely say, “All that I am and all that I have is God’s. He is in me, and I am in Him, and that’s all that matters.”

Pause and consider. What have you put between yourself and total surrender to God? What do you trust more than you trust God? Who or what do you love more than God?

The Father is at work to change you and bring you to spiritual maturity. His goal is to use you to lead others to wholeness and spiritual sophistication. No matter how long or difficult the process, God will continue to break you and bring you to a place of wholeness and spiritual maturity.

What an honor and joy it is to know that the Father is with us, working in and through us.

He equips us to tear down the strongholds of misinformation and replace them with Absolute Truth. The Father has promised. “I will make you as secure as a fortified wall of bronze. They will not conquer you, for I am with you to protect and rescue you. I, the LORD, have spoken!” (Jeremiah 15:20).

One day, we will hear the triumphal words of our Father’s pleasure and delight, “Well done, good and faithful servant” (Matthew 25:23).

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© Dr. H 2024

How to get things done ∙∙

How to get things done ∙∙

Then he said to me, “This is the word of the LORD to Zerubbabel: Not by might, nor by power, but by my Spirit, says the LORD of Heaven’s Armies.” – Zechariah 4:6

Psalms 37:5 Commit everything you do to the LORD. Trust him, and he will help you.

Psalms 18:19 He led me to a place of safety; he rescued me because he delights in me.

There’s an abundance of self-help books and online resources that suggest various techniques for getting things done. Typically, they provide advice on maintaining focus and dedication, offering practical recommendations, tips, tricks, and often step-by-step actions to make tasks more manageable. One of the best-selling books in this genre is “Getting Things Done: The Art of Stress-Free Productivity” by productivity consultant David Allen. This book introduces a method known as GTD, which helps in organizing to-dos, priorities, and schedules with the aim of maximizing efficiency while reducing stress.

However, despite our best intentions, many of us struggle to complete tasks. Whether it’s due to a lack of motivation or constant disruptions, finishing what we start often remains a challenge.

Consider how many times you’ve wanted to shed a few extra pounds but struggled to succeed. Even if you did manage to lose some weight, maintaining those results was often elusive. Personally, I’ve lost thousands of pounds over the years, only to gain them back again – a cycle of effort without lasting progress, like a hamster running on a wheel. However, I recently broke this cycle by following the Father’s plan.

The Father offers a simple two-step program. Step 1 is making a firm decision about what you want to achieve and committing to it wholeheartedly. This commitment is the challenging part. Step 2 is trusting in the Father’s promises to help you achieve your goal. As you place your trust in Him, He will support and enable you along the way, providing you with a sense of security.

Psalms 18:25-27

 25 To the faithful you show yourself faithful; to those with integrity you show integrity.

 26 To the pure you show yourself pure, but to the wicked you show yourself hostile.

 27 You rescue the humble, but you humiliate the proud.

“The way we relate to the Lord determines how the Lord relates to us (Psalms 18:25-27). David was merciful to Saul, and God was merciful to David (Matthew 5:9). David was loyal (‘blameless’), and God was faithful to him and kept His promises to bless him. David wasn’t sinless, but he was blameless in his motives. The ‘pure in heart’ are those whose hearts are wholly dedicated to God (Matthew 5:8).”

“Saul had been devious in his dealings with God, David, and the people, but David was honest and straightforward. . ..” [David] learned that faith is living without scheming. God’s character and covenants never change, but the condition of our hearts determines His dealings with us (Wiersbe).   

Why did the Father come to David’s aid? What motivated Him to act? The answer is simple: the Father loved David (1 Samuel 13:14). Even more than that, the Father took great delight in him! Wouldn’t it be fantastic if the Father delighted in you and me? Remarkably, He does!

Psalms 37:23 The LORD directs the steps of the godly. He delights in every detail of their lives.

The Hebrew word translated as delights or “delight” or “delighted” is chephets. Chephetsconveyshappiness, joy, delight, and pleasure. It refers to something precious, priceless, and valuable, like a precious gem. Things or people described as chephets evoke a sense of extreme pleasure or satisfaction. Because they are so desirable, others are naturally attracted to them (TWOT).

Why the Father delights in us remains an unanswerable question and an unsolvable mystery. Yet, rest assured, if we dig deep enough, sovereign grace is the fundamental truth at the bottom of every well of mercy. What is certain, however, is that He indeed delights in the children of the King (Spurgeon).

REFLECT & PRAY

It’s all too easy to place our trust and confidence in people who fail to follow through, leaving us disappointed. However, when we trust in the Father and seek to do things His way, empowered by His Spirit, the outcome can be entirely different.

Father, I often struggle to hear and follow Your direction. Yet in my heart of hearts, I know that by doing things Your way and relying on the power of Your Spirit, I can accomplish what needs to be done. Please make it so.

INSIGHT

Have you ever wondered why it’s so hard to get things done? Sure, there are obstacles, pressures, and distractions. But could there be something more at play?

Perhaps a common factor leads to failure when we try to serve our Father God. As Stanley notes, “Many of God’s servants don’t do God’s work in God’s way. Consequently, they are doomed to failure from the outset.”

Consider Zerubbabel, who was tasked with rebuilding the temple in Jerusalem. One delay after another hindered its completion. The Father fully understood the situation and sent the prophet Zechariah to encourage Zerubbabel. An angel was dispatched, and Zechariah documented the message on how to get the job done.

Zechariah 4:6-7

 6 Then he said to me, “This is what the LORD says to Zerubbabel: It is not by might nor by power, but by My Spirit, says the LORD of Heaven’s Armies.

 7 Nothing, not even a mighty mountain, will stand in Zerubbabel’s way; it will become a level plain before him! And when Zerubbabel sets the final stone of the Temple in place, the people will shout: ‘May God bless it! May God bless it!’”

This was the Father’s way of saying to Zerubbabel, “The work can be completed. There are no immovable obstacles when you do things My way, and by My Spirit. And when it’s finished, there will be a big celebration” (Stanley).

There are two approaches to getting things done. This is particularly true of tasks that the Father assigns to us.

“First, you can do it in the flesh. Doing God’s work in the flesh boils down to depending on influence, personality, gifts, natural resources, education, and experience. Or, second, you can carry it out under the direction of and in the power of the Holy Spirit. That’s God’s way” (Stanley).

“When we do God’s work in God’s way, it will bear the unmistakable mark of the Holy Spirit. There will be something inexplicable about it. People will know that what has happened can never be repeated simply by bringing the right components together. The whole is divinely greater than the sum of the parts” (Stanley).

The Scriptures explain this in many ways. When our spirits are quiet, and we put our confidence in the Father, we find strength.

Isaiah 30:15 Only in returning to me and resting in me will you be saved. In quietness and confidence is your strength.

Proverbs 3:5-7

 5 Trust in the LORD with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding.

 6 Seek his will in all you do, and he will show you which path to take.

 7 Don’t be impressed with your own wisdom.

Stop for a moment and consider. How does the Father feel about you?

He delights in you as He delighted in David. As you seek to walk with the Father, remember He delights in you and wants to walk with you.

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© Dr. H 2024

How to become real ∙

How to become real ∙

Long ago, the LORD said to Israel: I have loved you, my people, with an everlasting love. With unfailing love, I have drawn you to myself. – Jeremiah 31:3

Zephaniah 3:17 For the LORD your God is living among you. He is a mighty savior. He will take delight in you with gladness. With his love, he will calm all your fears. He will shout for joy over you.”

“The Velveteen Rabbit” is a classic British children’s tale penned by Margery Williams in 1922. The story starts when a stuffed rabbit, sewn from velveteen, is gifted to a young boy on Christmas. He is given several other presents that are modern and mechanical. The boy plays with his other new presents and forgets all about the Velveteen Rabbit.

The oldest and most experienced toy in the nursery is the Skin Horse. He was so old that his brown coat was bald in patches and showed the seams underneath, and most of the hairs in his tail had been pulled out. He was wise, for he had seen a long succession of mechanical toys arrive to boast and swagger, and by and by, their mainsprings break, and they pass away. He knew they were only toys and would never turn into anything else.

One day, the Rabbit curiously asks, What does being REAL mean? “Does it mean having things that buzz inside you and a stick-out handle?”

“Real isn’t how you are made,” said the Skin Horse. “It’s a thing that happens to you. When a child loves you for a long, long time, not just to play with, but REALLY loves you, then you become Real.”

“Does it hurt?” inquires the Rabbit.

“Sometimes,” replies the Skin Horse honestly. “But once you are REAL, pain doesn’t bother you anymore.”

“Does it happen all at once, like being wound up?”

“It doesn’t happen all at once,” said the Skin Horse. “It takes a long time. That’s why it doesn’t happen often to people who break easily or have sharp edges, or who have to be carefully kept. Generally, by the time you are Real, most of your hair has been loved off, and your eyes drop out and you get loose in the joints and very shabby. But these things don’t matter at all, because once you are Real, you can’t be ugly, except to people who don’t understand.”

“I suppose you are Real?” said the Rabbit. And then he wished he had not said it, for he thought the Skin Horse might be sensitive. But the Skin Horse only smiled.

“The boy’s uncle made me Real,” he said. “That was a great many years ago, but once you are Real, you can’t become unreal again. It lasts for always.”

The Rabbit is taken aback by this idea, doubting his chances of becoming REAL. However, one night, the boy’s Nana replaces a lost toy with the Rabbit for the boy to sleep with. From then on, the Rabbit becomes the boy’s most cherished toy, accompanying him on spring picnics and becoming an integral part of his life. The boy considers the Rabbit as REAL. Time passes, and the rabbit becomes shabbier but happy. He became REAL because of love.

Do you see yourself in this story? Are you the young boy, the uncle, the Skin Horse, or the Rabbit?

In reality, we might identify with all four of them in some way. I envy the Skin Horse, but I am probably more like the Rabbit, yearning to become REAL.

The Father God resembles the uncle: older, wiser, and having loved His children for a very long time.

REFLECT & PRAY

“God rejoices over you, though He knows you are in the process of becoming all that He has planned for you to become . . .. God is patiently molding and shaping you into the image of His Son” (Stanley).

Father, thank You for loving me with Your everlasting love and drawing me to Yourself. Thank You for taking particular delight in me. You literally shout for joy as You embrace me in Your loving arms.

INSIGHT

Jeremiah 31:3 I have loved you with an everlasting love; therefore, I have drawn you with lovingkindness to myself.

The Father, in His boundless love, gently draws us closer to Him. While this makes us children of the King, it doesn’t make us real. To become real, we must experience His love for a long time. Much like mechanical toys, many of us seem to break easily, have sharp edges, or require a lot of special handling. In reality, He has been “handling” some of us for a long, long time. Some of the rough edges have been smoothed out. We have received a few dings, but we have not been shattered. Over time, we start to love His tender touch and accept His warm embrace.

But there’s more.

The Father desires to make Himself known to us in an extraordinary way. Wherever we are, He wants to be right there in the midst of it all. In fact, He is.

Matthew 18:20 For where two or three gather together as my followers, I am there among them.

But there’s even more.

Zephaniah 3:17 For the LORD your God is living among you . . . He will take delight in you with gladness. With his love, he will calm all your fears. He will rejoice over you with joyful songs.

This verse expresses the Father’s feelings towards the children of the King. He takes “delight” in us, which could be translated as “He will be very happy with you” (UBS). “The great God not only loves his saints, but he loves to love them” (Matthew Henry). God takes great delight in loving us because we are His very own” (Jerry Bridges).

The phrase, “You will rejoice over us with loud singing,” could be translated as, “He will sing and be joyful over you” or “You will make his heart full of joy, and he will sing loudly” (UBS). He is so delighted that He shouts for joy!

Imagine being at an athletic event, rooting for your favorite team. Your team wins the game, and you get ecstatic. You shout, cheer, and literally jump for joy.

Now, picture yourself at an airport, witnessing close friends, family members, or a long-separated couple spotting each other. They rush towards each other, radiating exuberance of joy and happiness. They embrace, dance a little, and perhaps a tear or two trickles down their cheeks.

The Tanakh, the Jewish translation of the Old Testament, renders Zephaniah 3:17 as “He will rejoice over you and be glad, He will shout over you with jubilation. He will soothe with His love.” Bathed in His love, He cherishes expressing His love for the children of the King.

Have you begun shedding any fur yet?

What a charming portrayal of how the Father makes us Real.

The Father takes personal delight in us. He is not remote, indifferent, or merely satisfied in a stoic way. There’s no emotionless contentment. Instead, He bursts into a joyous divine celebration: He rejoices over us with loud singing (ESV Notes).

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© Dr. H 2024