How we see ourselves, our identity, is directly related to our ability to accept God's love for us.
I'm flawed - I'm not good enough - I need to please others: these are all common beliefs. So what? Humans do have flaws; humans aren't good enough at something; and it's good to please at least someone. To have some negative beliefs about ourselves is what it means to be human.
We can fight it or surrender and accept it. Accepting ourselves as humans allows us to soak up God's love for us.
God wants to spend time with humans. He chose humans to be in relationship with. We are his plan to help other humans know they matter to God and are loved.
From Adam and Eve, through consistent steps from Abraham to Jesus, humans were chosen by God. With all our flaws, insufficiency, neediness for significance, we are inherently human and God is inherently divine.
In John 17, Jesus prayed to God for humans. In verses 6 & 9, he specifically says, "They were yours; and you gave them to me," and "I'm not praying for the world but for those you have given to me for they are yours."
It's a question of identity. In being given to Jesus, our identity is no longer in the mirror. In 2 Corinthians, 5:17, Paul tells the people of Corinth, "Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new is come!"
Jesus said, "You did not choose me, but I chose you". Chosen.
For those ready to live differently, Turning Point launches Monday, February 22.
I'm looking forward to spending the rest of my life letting losers know they matter to God!
Posted by: Johnny Carr | February 16, 2010 at 02:44 PM