God's Beloved

"In those days Jesus came from Nazareth of Galilee and was baptized by John in the Jordan. And just as he was coming up out of the water, he saw the heavens torn apart and the Spirit descending like a dove on him.  And a voice came from heaven, “You are my Son, the Beloved; with you I am well pleased.”
Mark 1:9-11 (NRSV)

This is the Gospel reading for this first Sunday in Epiphany.
Jesus lived his days. We live our days.
Jesus was baptized. We've been baptized (most of us anyway).
Jesus received the Holy Spirit. We've received the Holy Spirit.
Jesus was God's beloved Son. We are God's beloved children.
Jesus was well pleased by God. We are well pleased by God.

So you are special in God's sight. Do not forget that you are loved by God, period. This is not about what you do or don't do. As Paul said somewhere it by grace through faith which is the gift of God.
Be free then in the love of God and live as best you can for God because you belong to God and nothing can separate you from God's love. Hallelujah, to God be the glory and praise.

On another note from Dietrich Bonhoeffer: "To go one's way under the sign of the cross is not misery and desperation, but peace and refreshment for the soul, it is the highest joy. Then we do not walk under our self-made laws and burdens, but under the yoke of him who knows us and who walks under the yolk with us. Under his yoke we are certain of his nearness and communion."

From our small group study book, The Cure; "Destiny is what happens when those God-given desires, mixed with my particular gifting, are allowed to be healed, matured, and released to freely give away. Our destiny is always about loving others, or being prepared to love others. This is why we need healing healing so much. Unhealed wounds require our attention and we cannot focus on others while those wounds still need attention. This causes many of us to miss our destinations, on a routine basis, that over a lifetime produce our destiny... The quality of your life is based in trusting this: Where you are right now is the perfect place for you, or the God of all goodness and power would not allow you to be there.
Our destiny is far greater than our potential.
Our destiny is uniquely and perfectly fashioned for us.
Our destiny includes both delight and drudgery.
Our destiny is too important to compromise.
Our destiny is worth sticking around for."

God keeps us in perfect peace when we are focused on God and trust in God. (paraphrase of Isaiah the prophet)