1 John 3:1-3 tells us, “See how great a love the Father has bestowed on us, that we would be called children of God; and such we are. For this reason, the world does not know us, because it did not know Him. Beloved, now we are children of God, and it has not appeared as yet what we will be. We know that when He appears, we will be like Him, because we will see Him just as He is. And everyone who has this hope fixed on Him purifies himself, just as He is pure.”

Pondering this scripture always overwhelms me with the grace and mercy of our heavenly Father. He calls us His sons and daughters. We are adopted by grace. By all things that count in this world, we are unworthy, not enough. But God doesn’t call us to be enough because He is always more than enough. When we accept by faith that Jesus is Lord, His righteousness becomes ours. What indescribable grace! When our heavenly Father looks at us, He sees Jesus.

I love the part of this scripture that says, “it has not appeared as yet what we will be…” Have you wondered, like me, what you will be when you grow up? (Yes, at 65, I’m still wondering…) I am a daughter, a wife, a mother, a grandmother, a cousin, an aunt, a friend. I’m a teacher and a leader of teachers. I’ve been a secretary, an onion chopper, a babysitter, a newspaper typist, a Sunday school teacher. Those are the paths the Lord has given me to walk, but they don’t fully describe me. I am a child of God journeying Home. Jesus calls me to walk in the light as He is in the light. He calls me to be a faithful servant, to listen and obey. Though I may slip and fall, He always remains faithful. I serve the One who sees me and loves me despite my waywardness. Thank you, Lord!

I hope that we never forget that we are created for a purpose both here on earth and in heaven. God has a good plan for us, “a plan to prosper and not to harm.” One day when Jesus comes again, we will be transformed “in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet; for the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised imperishable, and we will be changed.” (1 Corinthians 15:52) I can only imagine what awaits, but I trust that it will be perfect, just as our Lord is perfect.