Our grandchildren love to say how old they are . . . I am 5 (with five fingers in the air) or I am 7-almost 8! Their age is very important to them. Me? Well, at my age I remain in the year as long as I can! Okay . . . I am 64! (with only a few days until I'm 65 . . . often unsaid but clearly inescapable). Our age along with the many other "I am" statements define how we view ourselves and in turn define and limit our relationships or position.
In the book of Exodus our Creator defines Himself too . . . but it is without any limits! He simply says that He is the "I AM" - the beginning and end of everything. This places Him in an all-inclusive category of one without boundaries, beyond our comprehension, all in all for all, awe-producing in every way. . . . He simply IS!
"By his power we live and move and exist." Acts 17:28a NCV This without-boundaries "I AM" connected with us, His boundary-laden creation. He is this by sending His Son, Jesus, who walked this earth as a man with clear and simple boundaries. Even though He was the Son of the limitless "I AM", He spoke to us in ways that specifically defined his purpose and relationship to us...
"I am the light of the World ." John 8:12 NIV
"I am the Way, the Truth, and the Life. No one comes to the Father except through me."John 14:6 NIV
"I who speak to you am He." John 4:26 NIV
These "I am" statements provide placement and position for us to experience the intimate love that the Source of all creation - the great "I AM" - has for each of us. Jesus came so we can see, feel and understand God's perfect love within the boundaries of our human limitations - so that we get it! We live and move and have our being in Him.
May your "I am's" be wrapped up in THE GREAT "I AM".