Badges

“Create in me a pure heart, O God,and renew a steadfast spirit within me.”
Psalm 51:10 (NIV)

I have a drawer in my bedroom where I keep my trinkets; basically they are small items of costume jewellery accumulated over many years.  Hidden away in a corner of the drawer is a small insignificant little tin box.  In this box I keep all the badges I have gained throughout my life.  The oldest badge is a ‘Prefects’ badge which bears the signs of wear and tear – this was awarded during my schooldays.  Next is my nursing badge, now very outdated.  Then there are other badges in the tin associated with tour guiding, a past hobby.  Each of these represents a benchmark in my life, desired by my heart and often hard-earned.

It is ironic therefore that the most important badge of my life is invisible.  I wear it on my heart every day. It is the badge of my Saviour Jesus Christ.   Unlike all the other badges lying in the drawer, I did nothing to achieve this very special badge, other than believe on Jesus.  He did it all, dying for my sins and overcoming the grave through His resurrection.  He has given me a new heart.

Although I claim my priceless badge is invisible, it will shine when polished by the Holy Spirit in enabling me to love others as Jesus commanded us to do. This people will see and wonder.  I must never neglect this badge of Christianity; never let it tarnish through mis-use or non-use.  Indeed, it is a badge that requires renewal every day by the grace of God’s merciful compassion for us.  “They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness,” says Lamentations 3:23.

I have spent my life gaining badges, when all the time the most important one of all was waiting to be claimed.  How wonderful is our great God that he has sacrificed so much for this most precious badge of all – the badge of sonship.  1 John 3:1-2 says, “See what great love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are! The reason the world does not know us is that it did not know him. Dear friends, now we are children of God, and what we will be has not yet been made known. But we know that when Christ appears, we shall be like him, for we shall see him as he is.”  Imagine, a badge that won’t rust or date – an eternal badge bearing Jesus’ name. Wonderful!

Prayer
Loving and amazing God, thank you for this new heart – a heart led by the Holy Spirit, replacing a heart full of self and sin.  You are the personification of Love and I praise you.
Amen

Study by Irene Wilson

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About the Author:
Irene Wilson is a Deaconess in the Watford Congregation of the Worldwide Church of God UK, where she also serves on the Pastoral Council.
Local Congregation:
Worldwide Church of God Watford
St. Peter’s Church
61 Westfield Avenue
Watford,
Herts.
WD24 7HF

Meeting Time:
Saturday 11AM

Local Congregational Contact:
George Henderson
Phone:  01923-855570
Email: george-sue.henderson@tesco.net