For there is one God and one mediator between God and humanity, the man Christ Jesus, who gave himself as a ransom for all, a testimony at the proper time.
1 Timothy 2:5-6 (CSB)
From the moment my feet hit the floor, I knew it wasn’t going to be a banner day. I’d overslept. We were out of coffee. And both my husband and my daughter seemed determined to get on my last nerve. By 8:30 that morning, I had cried at least five times. I was ready to throw in the towel (or at least run away from home for a day or two). Honestly, I just wanted to give up.
Even as I sat down with my Bible and journal, the enemy’s whispers echoed through my head: You’re not good enough, not godly enough. And I nodded in assent, because, well, I knew those things were true.
I opened my Bible that morning to be reminded of a beautiful truth: Christ is my Mediator. He is ever standing before the Father, interceding on my behalf, pleading my cause and claiming His blood over my sin. Of course I’m not good or godly enough. Most days I’m just a hot mess trying to manage the chaos of life and hoping I don’t ruin anything.
But there He is, Jesus Christ, leaning in to the Father saying: She’s mine. That one, with all the fears and anxieties, all the falling and fumbling, My blood was shed for her.
If we could grasp this — that we don’t have to do more or be more, we just have to be His — imagine how our thoughts and lives would look quite different.
Jesus was born in a dirty barn, traveled on dusty roads, died on a rugged cross, was buried in a borrowed tomb. He knows all about the mess of this life. He isn’t turned off by our failings and foibles. He doesn’t walk away from our doubts and difficulties.
And here’s the best news of all — He isn’t in that borrowed tomb anymore! He is standing now before the throne, interceding on our behalf, mediating for us.
This message was written by Teri Lynne Underwood and appears in A Moment to Breathe, a 365-day devotional from the (in)courage community.
Leave a Comment
Michele Morin says
Teri Lynne, what a perfect thought for a Sunday morning!
Lord, bless and strengthen all those who are doing their best this morning to get everyone out the door with two matching shoes and clean underwear all around. May our worship be sweet and full of wonder at the way you work, even in the midst of our messes.
Bev @ Walking Well With God says
Teri Lynne,
What a beautiful reminder that Jesus is our Mediator. Not only does He intercede on our behalf, He also prays for us. What a balm that is to my soul to know that Jesus goes to bat for me and He prays for me by name. Who better to be prayed for, than by Jesus? God gives us everything we need…..a Mediator in Jesus who has walked in our shoes, a guide and source of wisdom in the Holy Spirit, and a loving Abba, Daddy in Himself. I have ALL that I need. I am more than enough. Claiming that truth over the enemy’s lies. Thank you, hot mess sister, for these words of encouragement.
Blessings,
Bev xx
Beth Williams says
Terri Lynne,
Great thoughts for a Sunday morning or any morning for that matter. The evil one wants us to think we’re not good enough, Godly enough, etc. Fact is no we’re not. Jesus steps in as a mediator for messy, busy lives. He understands our messes better than anyone else. He prays for us & tells the Father that one is mine. That sweet, hot mess over there. We think we must do or be more & we keep striving. “We don’t have to do more or be more, we just have to be His. ” Praise God.
Blessings 🙂
Renee says
♥️♥️♥️
Penny says
Teri Lynn,
Thank-you so much for sharing this sweet message with us.
Have a blessed day all,
Penny
Kathy @ Devotions from the Heart says
Being His should be more than enough, if we stop listening to the enemy’s lies.
Charlene Helderman says
My friend and I were talking this morning about the damages and sabatouge of negative self-talk. If only I could grasp this beautiful truth how much more confident I would be. Think I will print this out and put it on my mirror to remind me. Think I’ll print one for my friend too.
Denise Pass says
Isn’t this such a sweet place of surrender? Striving ceases and our hearts are at rest in the presence of our Holy God! Miraculous! Thank you for sharing this devotional.
Jillian says
Just the message I needed to read today.
Carol says
God bless you, Terri Lynne for sharing this beautiful truth. May it sink into our minds and hearts.
Julie says
i needed this! i am having a horrible morning and feeling like a horrible mum for yelling at my kids this morning. i am the epitome of a hot mess mama at the moment. i have just returned back to work after maternity leave and struggling. prayers and kind thoughts will be so appreciated 🙂
Nancy Ruegg says
I love the visual of Jesus leaning in toward his Heavenly Father to say, “She’s mine–in spite of her faults and failures. My blood was shed for her.” Thank you for that, Terri Lynne. How amazing to consider Jesus goes a step further and helps us work through those faults and failures our whole lives long (Philippians 1:6). And on the day we stand before Him in heaven He will present us in God’s glorious presence without fault and with great joy (Jude 24). How glorious is that?!
April Knapp says
Such a wonderful reminder that not only are we not alone, but the king of the universe is on our side. I often have these mornings and needed this reminder.
Tonya says
Such an awesome , and much needed, reminder.
Teresa Netz says
Dear women of (in)courage…. there are days, when your writings give life giving water and oxygenation to weary hearts. Teri Lynne, today was such a day for me.
Kathleen Burkinshaw says
Thank you Terri Lynne, this is just what I needed to read today. Beautifully said!