Precious

The 1st Sunday of Epiphany - Baptism of Our Lord, 1.9.2022

Scripture: Isaiah 43:1-7; Luke 3:15-17, 21-22

Key verse: “Because you are precious.” (Isaiah 43:4)

“Precious!” That was how my colleague called each participant of the university campus ministry where he served as a pastor. “Did you just call each of them precious?” I asked. “Yes!” He responded. When I asked why, he explained, “Jade, take a good look at each one of them. Aren’t they precious? Many of them did not know that they were precious before they came here. Most of these kids don’t get to spend time with their parents while growing up. They are lost and lonely. Many of their parents are obsessing over their own careers. They believe that providing for their kids to study in the United States is the best way to achieve their promising futures.”

I spent half a day observing the amazing ministry that he was doing. There were around forty to fifty students. I was surprised to see that the students were the ones setting up for worship, leading the songs and prayers, playing musical instruments, sharing faith stories for that week, designing small group activities, and more. Then, I was told that it was a very special day. Once the worship was over, students set up tables and chairs and got ready for dinner. It was time to meet their secret angels who had been caring for them for a couple of months. Each student made his or her own hometown food to treat their secret angels. That evening, I saw the sweetest smiles, joyful laughing and tears, chatting and hugging in that space where they built caring friendships and trusting relationships. The longest relationship that they could have was about six to eight years if they continued their Masters or PhD degrees.

My colleague, his wife, and some elders often met students during breaks between their classes by offering counseling, prayers, or any spiritual support. “Sometimes,” he said, “it is in the middle of the night!” He continued, “The first two years were really hard. We spent a lot of time teaching them, equipping them, and training them. And now the old group teaches and leads a new group. We just watch and support. And these students make an effort to block their time for this weekly gathering even during their busy final exam week. I keep reminding them that God loves them and calls them precious. That’s why I call them precious.”

I could tell that students knew they were precious because of how they were cared for by each other and their leaders. Did the people of Israel know that they were precious and that they belonged to God and to each other? Definitely. The message was very clear throughout the Old Testament like this passage in Isaiah 43:1-4 when God said to them, “You are mine; you are precious. And I love you.”

God initiates a sense of belonging for the nation of Israel as a chosen example so that the following generations know how to do likewise. Through the life of Jesus Christ, God is also calling you and me to do likewise. When a sense of belonging is missing and you notice it, it is a message to you from God who calls you by name and says to you, “You are mine; you are precious. And I love you.” Let us not stop the flow of this life-giving message but pass it on. Let us pass it on to where relationships are estranged and broken, and for them to know and hear that they are precious. AMEN.