a vision of jesus that changes everything

Several years ago I set out to write about Jesus in a different way. Simply put, I wanted to take myself out, to understand who He was—eternal, infinite, majestic—even if I didn’t exist.

For months I pondered how Scripture described Jesus, the names it gave Him, the consistency with which it exalted Him.

To be honest, trying to remove myself wasn’t possible. So much of who He is and what He has done is woven into who I am. Still, I tried. Every time I found myself in the center of my thoughts, I turned to Him and asked: “Who ARE you?”

Something happened along the way.

I began to see Jesus like never before.
His character and ways took on breathtaking hues.
His attributes, once a list I tried to remember, became beautiful treasures that filled my soul with wonder.

As my vision of Jesus expanded, I began to experience His tender care and incomparable grace more deeply…more fully.

Over and over, I found myself undone as I sat in the tension of a God who transcends every idea I might have, yet who chose me to be His own.

Recently, I was talking with someone who shared how important it has been to focus on who they are and how God feels about them—especially after years of experiencing a form of faith that diminished their worth.

I understood that deeply. There are wounds that need that kind of care.

And yet, this is what has settled into my heart over the years as I’ve come to know Jesus more.

When my vision of God is in the background,
I have to keep reminding myself that I am loved.
But as who He is becomes more central, His radiance, His majesty, … Him--
His love no longer feels like something I have to convince myself of.
It becomes something that overwhelms me.

I’m beginning to wonder if our sense of security in His love grows in proportion to how clearly we see His glory—the scope of His character, His ways, His attributes.

And the more clearly we see who He is,
the safer it becomes to be who we are.
And the more honestly we come as needy children,
the more astonishing His glory feels—not distant, but tender.

I’ve begun to understand how God’s glory and my joy are intricately connected. The more I encounter His beauty, the more joy I experience. The more joy I experience, the more secure I feel in His love…and the more I long to exalt Him.

I’d love to share this journey with you through a series of devotionals exploring the names of Jesus.

Not self-improvement, but beholding Him--
not telling ourselves we are loved, but seeing Jesus in a way vast enough to heal our hurts and draw us into wonder.

I hope you’ll join me.

Begin the Journey

Or begin with Day One:
Behold His Majesty-Day One