Left on Read

So this saying goes with the teen and pre-teen population, “left on read.” This is not a good thing from my understanding. It’s like leaving someone hanging. It’s the virtual slap in the face to not respond to a “snap” or a text.

Sure, I’ve had texts that were left with no response from the recipient and I’m sure I’ve questioned as to why. Maybe I thought they were mad at me, or didn’t like me anymore, I am a classic overthinker, but I also consider, especially at my age and the age of those whom I text that they are just busy with life, or forgetful. Ginkgo biloba anyone?

There can be number of reasons for getting the dreaded "left on read" response, which is no response. Some could be hurtful, they may actually be mad and maybe not like me anymore, but if I, and we all remember our identity is not tied to someone else’s response, or lack there of, we would do well. Whether they respond or even like me is not based on who I am.

We can be "left on read" in many physical forms in life in terms of rejection. We can feel unwelcome, uninvited and unloved by others, but their opinion of me is not all that matters.

As a Christian my identity is in Christ. He’s the one in whom I can base my worth.

Am I now trying to win the approval of human beings, or of God? Or am I trying to please people? If I were still trying to please people, I would not be a servant of Christ. Gal. 1:10

We know for a fact that we are approved by God when we are in Christ. "We speak as messengers approved by God to be entrusted with the Good News. Our purpose is to please God, not people. He alone examines the motives of our hearts."

Jesus never leaves us on read. His response to us is in His Word, response to our prayers, through guidance and direction in this life. In fact we can cry out to God and ask Him to, "Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my concerns." I can guarantee you He will not leave you on read when you cry out to God with this prayer. You can expect a response.

His Word is filled with the wonderful response of what He thinks about us.

He tells us in Psalm 139:14 that we are fearfully and wonderfully made.

God is not concerned with outward appearance. He's concerned with what's in the heart. He searches the heart and examines the mind. Jeremiah 17:10

Knowing this, we should clothe ourselves instead with the beauty that comes from within, the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is so precious to God. 1 Peter 3:4

Yet, He knows that this heart can be filled with sin, hatred and greed, but God has a response to that as well. He's not leaving us hanging, because He had His Son do that for us. His response to my sinful self is on the cross with his arms out wide, welcoming us all with His loving arms.

"Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law by becoming a curse for us. For it is written: 'Cursed is everyone who is hung on a tree.'” Galatians 3:13

Maybe Jesus did leave us on read in terms of leaving His word for us to read for us to know just how much he loved us. In terms of a response to my prayers, to salvation and redemption, He never leaves us on read.

We know Christ's response to us, but maybe the more important question to ask is, "what is my response?" What’s your response? Are you going to leave Jesus on read? Or are you going to respond to him with the same loving devotion that he shows you?

We must eagerly respond to him and love Him with all our heart soul and mind. I know I want to read what he has to say to me and instructs me through His word. I want to fold my hands in prayer and in reverence I want to praise His holy name. For if we do these things, there is no doubt that Jesus sees and hears and He will never leave us on read.