Never Forgotten: Carved on His Hands

Zion has said, “Yahweh has forsaken me.

My Lord has forgotten me—I’m all alone.”

Yahweh responds, “But how could a loving mother forget her nursing child

and not deeply love the one she bore?

Even if there is a mother who forgets her child,

I could never, no never, forget you.

Can’t you see?

I have carved your name on the palms of my hands!

Your walls are always my concern.

Prophet Isaiah (49:14-16)

Dear RCC Community,

What a blessing it is to have partnered with you again this year. A massive thanks to everyone this year; our amazing students, dedicated parents, and tireless staff—in this grand journey we go on together.

For my final Tidings for the year, I want to encourage you to remember that you form an important part of a very special community built on the foundations of God’s love, hope and grace. I want to take a moment to remind you that you are valuable and not forgotten and pray that this truth will encourage you.

The life of a parent, teacher or a Christian, often demands that we daily ‘take up our cross’ so that we can serve one another and allow God to make us different, which, let's be honest, is often not easy. It's hard to keep showing up when our world often shouts louder than the hope we have, or the change God is working in us makes us feel fragile or uncertain.

We see this in the story of Cleopas on the road to Emmaus. Cleopas is devastated; his hope was utterly smashed when Jesus died on the cross. He thought Jesus was the solution they had been waiting for. That is, until Jesus Himself chased him down, found him as he walked along the road to Emmaus, and restored his hope for a different kind of solution, an eternal one.

Just like Cleopas, I think, especially towards the end of any year, we can often feel like what we are working so hard for is so far away. However, when we allow God to meet with us where we are at and listen to his encouragement, taking time to walk with him and allow this to change us, then we realise the strength we need to continue to strive for the dreams deep inside.

I for one, though, certainly know that sometimes, in those challenging moments, we may feel like the people of God who cried out: "Yahweh has forsaken me. My Lord has forgotten me—I’m all alone."

The truth, guided by God’s own response in Isaiah 49:15-16, is beautifully clear, however, “How could a loving mother forget her child and not deeply love her kids? Even if … I could never, no never, forget you. Can’t you see? I have carved your name on the palms of my hands!”

My prayer for us all as we celebrate another year, is that we constantly see and know this unwavering love. When you have a deep knowledge that you are utterly loved, chosen, and remembered by your community and your Creator, it changes everything. I pray that this assurance be the wellspring from which you draw, empowering you to finish the year well.

Good Tidings,

Jonno

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