Accepted and Understood by an Outsider

I remember a particularly awkward stage of my life during my teen years…

I felt alone, misunderstood, and uncomfortable in my own skin.

There wasn’t anyone I wanted to talk with about it.

I know this is kinda silly—but I did feel accepted and understood by my dog, Gretchen.

She didn’t seem to care if I was in a funk.

She didn’t roll her eyes at my attempts to be all punk rock.

She was always happy to see me.

She was a loyal, faithful friend.

While I was aware of all the ways I didn’t fit… I was accepted and understood by an outsider—my dog.

The Bible says we have a great High Priest (Jesus) who understands us. He gets it.

He’s experienced the hurt, discomfort, weakness, and temptation—just like us.

He welcomes us (even when we’re in a funk).

In Him we are accepted and understood.

He doesn’t roll His eyes at us.

He is always happy to see us.

He is a loyal, faithful friend.

“For our high priest is able to understand our weaknesses… Let us, then, feel very sure that we can come before God’s throne where there is grace. There we can receive mercy and grace to help us when we need it.” (Hebrews 4.15, 16 NCV)