I remember telling my mom once, “I can’t believe God made me!”
As a child, I was obsessed with the fact that God created individuals, never before seen and never to come again, unique beings He could shine through, hearts in whom He could dwell. I remember the awe that filled my mind, knowing that I was made specifically to know and be known by my Creator, to have a place in His Kingdom and occupy this Earth at this time for a specific purpose. I felt the privilege as keenly as though it was a physical presence, like a crown on my head or a mantle around my shoulders.
More and more focus today is being put on the individual. In the world and the Church, we are encouraged by self-care, self-awareness, and self-confidence. And there is a place for these things. It’s just not enough to sustain a person completely.
So much in this world challenges our faith, taxes our energy, and depletes our strength. We need none other than the Lover of our souls, the One who has gone to battle for us and made every enemy bow down. The One who has many plans in His Mind for us and who will not leave us until they are accomplished.
My connection with my Savior is what keeps me standing, moving, believing. Life brings me face to face with my lack over and over again. It can be daunting, to face the future and admit that maybe you don’t have “what it takes” in every sense. But what a joy to be able to turn around and introduce that mountain to my God, the Source of all my strength.
I wanted to say something eloquent today, something that does justice to the beautiful reality we have been invited into as children of God. Instead, I’m going to let Scripture speak. Let His Spirit remind you of what you’re living in now. Drink in this Truth and may your faith be awakened.
“But thanks be to God, who in Christ always leads us in triumphal procession, and through us spreads the fragrance of the knowledge of Him everywhere.
“Such is the confidence that we have through Christ toward God. Not that we are sufficient in ourselves to claim anything as coming from us, but our sufficiency is from God, who has made us sufficient to be ministers of a new covenant, not of the letter but of the Spirit.
“Since we have such a hope, we are very bold…we all with unveiled face, beholding the Glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from one degree of Glory to another. For this comes from the Lord who is the Spirit.
“Therefore, having this ministry by the mercy of God, we do not lose heart. For God, who said, ‘Let light shine out of darkness has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.
“But we have this Treasure in jars of clay to show that the all-surpassing power belongs to God and not to us. We are afflicted in every way, but not crushed; perplexed, but not driven to despair; persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed…so we do not lose heart. Though our outer nature is wasting away, our inner nature is being renewed day by day.”
–2 Corinthians 2:14-15; 3:4,12,18; 4:1,6-9, 16-17.
Let me encourage you to live like you have an expansive God. When you know Him, you know where to go to be ignited. Nothing is over. Nothing is dying. Nothing is lost—even if it seems like it. You can run your race with confidence, expectancy, and enthusiasm because His plans and heart for you are GOOD!
Step in. Stay the course with persistent patience. Commit to faithfulness. Abide in His Presence and take hold of the Promises that are yours in Christ. Be the one who’s looking up. Seek God in greater ways than you ever have and you will know Him in greater ways than you ever have.
These are beautiful times and the best is yet to come!