Rejoice that your names are written in heaven

“I saw Satan fall like lightning from heaven. [19] Behold, I have given you authority to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy, and nothing shall hurt you. [20] Nevertheless, do not rejoice in this, that the spirits are subject to you, but rejoice that your names are written in heaven.” (Lk 10:18-20)

Can it be as simple as that?

Maybe the better question is: How can it be as simple as that?

Joy, happiness, satisfaction, purpose, meaning. Whatever word you want to throw out there to describe that feeling of completeness, wholeness, oneness, safety and security, belonging, loving and loved, we try to find it in a thousand different ways. Some are godly and some are not. But based on Lk 10:20 (and the rest of the Bible) our complete joy / satisfaction / completeness is found in only one place:  In Jesus.

The cool thing here is that all of our striving, all of our searching, all of our longing is already fulfilled. We really can rest. We really can trust. We really can give away everything we have, because all the work is done, all the documents are signed and all we have is God's and He has guaranteed us so much more.

So, I pray that whatever is facing you today. A huge success or miserable failure. Completing a marathon or finding our you have cancer. Celebrating a new baby or laying a dear loved one to rest. that you will find joy not in what you are doing (these are like backdrops on a Hollywood set) but rather in the reality that as a believer and disciple of Christ, your name is engraved in the Lamb's book of life. And, it is engraved with indelible ink, the blood of Christ.

To God Alone be the Glory