This is Who I Am

I come from a solid, supportive family. Although my parents were strict, they were also loving and involved. I grew up with the assurance my life had purpose. I entered adulthood fairly strong, but after an unexpected divorce, I lost the self-confidence of my youth. Suddenly I began to wonder if I had any value. If my marriage partner didn’t love me, did I have anything to offer anyone?

 

I’m not the only one who has suffered an identity crisis. Divorce, job loss, illness, abuse, and a great number of other things can contribute to a waning sense of self.

Perhaps you’ve struggled with this from time to time, or it gnaws at you continually—Who am I? Why am I here? Do I matter to anybody? What’s it all for? This week, I encountered a person with the answers. His clarity and self-assurance gave me a hook to hang my hat on, so to speak. In one sentence he declared: this is who I am, this is what I do, and this is why I do it. He made no attempts at people pleasing or to convince anyone who might disagree. I found it refreshing and invigorating.

The sentence that caught my eye is the first verse of the book of Romans. Paul started his letter in the usual manner of first century writers. They identified themselves at the beginning of their letters instead of signing at the end. He began, “Paul, a servant of Christ Jesus, called to be an apostle and set apart for the gospel of God” (Rom. 1:1).

There is so much power packed in that one little sentence! I had to stop after reading and just take it in. I don’t think he intended for it to be such a profound opening. But I immediately recognized it as the kind of confidence I need. No apologies, no rationalizations or attempts to convince others I, and the work I do, has value. Paul had a sturdy sense of his identity that came exclusively from his relationship with Christ.

So often, we identify ourselves by the work we do: I’m a doctor, teacher, contractor, counselor, logger, writer. Or by our relationships: I’m Britney’s dad, I’m John’s wife, I’m Karen’s Aunt. Paul was schooled by the elite of his day, a Roman citizen by birth, a tent maker by profession, and a respected (and feared) Jewish leader. But after he encountered Jesus on the road to Damascus, none of that mattered to him anymore.

His new identity earned him suspicion, rejection, imprisonment, repeated attempts on his life, and eventually death. But it didn’t cause him to waver or change his course. Every last breath fed into what he said in that one sentence—I live to serve Jesus Christ; the Savior of the world called me to be His apostle; I’ve been set apart (chosen) to spread the news of His death and resurrection, forgiveness and hope for all mankind. 

We may not all get to experience an audible voice and blinding light encounter with Jesus. But this kind of self confidence can be ours as well, because Paul went on to say, “And you also…are called to belong to Jesus Christ…loved by God and called to be his holy people” (Rom. 1:6-7, emphasis added). Does that resonate with you: called to belong, loved, invited to be a part of something of eternal significance? Isn’t that what we all long for?

What if we used this as a Template for Identity? How would you fill in the following blanks?

This is who I am:

This is what I do:

This is why I do it:

In the end, Jesus is the only One whose approval and acceptance we need. If we are firm in that, we need never be shaken again.

from Live, Love, Lead by Brian Houston

 #whoamI #whatismypurpose #doesmylifematter #doyoulikeme #whatsitallfor

I’m the Only One

Do you remember the song Tigger used to sing on Winnie the Pooh? He brags about his wonderful qualities and that the most wonderful thing about Tiggers is he’s the only one. He later admits it’s also the worst thing about Tiggers. Being the only one can get lonely. Scripture proves both to be contrary to God’s plan. 

 

Tigger came across like he thought he was better than the other animals. He was bouncy, playful, had beautiful stripes, and a long tail; he thought he was completely unique. Even though people seldom give voice to this, we might view ourselves as one of a kind in Bible knowledge, giving, self-discipline, lifestyle, or dedication to truth. We sometimes feel like a white sheep in a flock of black and gray.

Or, we may think we’re so unique that no one can relate to how we think and feel. We may believe our sins have made us inferior or more worldly wise than other believers. We’re convinced others have never thought of or done anything as horrible as we have. We believe we have little in common with others in the church. We are the black sheep in a sea of fluffy white.

Both forms of believing we’re the only one are based on pride. Pride in who we are, how we look, what we have, what we think, what we’ve done (good or bad), and what we’ve accomplished. 

Even Elijah fell into this trap. Both before and after his huge victory against the false prophets on Mt. Carmel, he said, “I have been very zealous for the Lord God Almighty. The Israelites have rejected your covenant, torn down your altars, and put your prophets to death with the sword. I am the only one left, and now they are trying to kill me too” (1 Kings 18:22 and 19:10, 14, italics added). Before his mountaintop experience, Elijah said it boastfully, afterward he said it in self-pity and terror. But God set him straight.

After he had a couple of naps, some angel food, and a front row seat to a magnificent display of God’s power, God whispered some encouraging news in Elijah’s ear. You are not the only one. God told him who He had prepared to lead the people, and the little fact that 7,000 others had also remained faithful to Him. He even had a guy picked out as Elijah’s successor (1 Ki. 19:15-18). Nothing like getting a pep talk and attitude check at the same time.

This problem is so common, Paul quoted Elijah’s story to the Roman believers. With God we are never alone (Rom. 11:1-5). There is always someone else believing, praying, fighting against evil; there’s someone we can relate to, who gets where we’re coming from, who will value us. 

Convincing us we’re the only one is a favorite trick of the enemy. When the disciples got too full of themselves, Jesus warned, “Satan has asked to sift all of you as wheat” (Luke 22:3132). What does that mean? He wanted to separate the brothers. He wanted to isolate them from comfort and fellowship. After Jesus’ death, they would need one another desperately to get over abandoning Him at His darkest hour. That’s the only way they would make it to the other side of the resurrection.

Satan wants to do the same thing to us. When we focus on our differences in the Body of Christ instead of what we have in common, we become self-centered instead of God-centered. Self-focus is lonely, but God-focus is sweet and full of joyful companionship. That’s how twelve guys—with a wild diversity of personalities, life experiences, education, and economic status—could become a loving, world-changing force for the gospel of Christ. 

No one in the Hundred Acre Woods ever had to feel alone either. When they valued and loved themselves and the others—bouncy Tigger, cranky Rabbit, timid Piglet, pudgy Pooh, maternal Kanga, baby Roo and others knew they belonged. May the same be said of the people of God.

#churchunity #nooneunderstandsme #idon’tfitin #oneofakind #unique

Our Long-Armed God

Since I’m a little short, I have difficulties reaching things in high places. I take advantage of chairs, ladders, and counter tops at home to get to what I need. At the grocery store I make friends with tall strangers to reach products beyond my reach. It’s taken me considerably longer, however, to realize this in the spiritual realm. God’s arms are not too short to access whatever I need.

When peace is beyond my reach, patience eludes me, emotional healing is on the top shelf and I can’t find a ladder, God has no problem bringing them down to my level. And at times when forgiveness was in a cupboard I couldn’t reach, and I didn’t even want to try, He got it down for me. It seems so much of what I need is high above my head: answers to prayers, what to do about this situation or that, words I need to say (or not), comfort for a broken heart, the will to persevere.

There are three scriptures I keep coming back to, because they remind me—though I’m vertically challenged, the God of the universe has no such limitations. The first one reminds me He has always come through in the past—“Was my arm too short to deliver you? Do I lack the strength to rescue you?” Isaiah 50:2. He has never failed me or anyone in all of history who has put their trust in Him.

The second one reminds me He is still available for those hard to reach packages that elude my grasp—“Surely the arm of the LORD is not too short to save, nor his ear too dull to hear” Isaiah 59:1. He’s not just the God of the Bible who did miraculous things in the past. He’s still in the business today.

The last verse gives me hope for the future, because I know new packages will keep appearing and I’ll need Someone big and tall to help me reach them—“Is the LORD’s arm too short? Now you will see whether or not what I say will come true for you” Numbers 11:23. He will never leave me alone on the aisle of need to fend for myself.

I must admit, however, that sometimes the thing I want isn’t always what I need. Even though God could get them for me, there are times when He takes down a different package than I asked for—learning Contentment instead of Immediate Gratification, Maturity won through loss instead of Security, His Embrace in the darkness instead of striding alone in Daylight. 

At first, I’m a little miffed (sometimes more than a little) at what He hands me. I point again. “No, God, that one on the right above the red and yellow package.” 

He smiles and says, “No, child, this is the one you need. You may not want it now, or see your need for it, but trust me and my love for you.” 

I grudgingly take it, and later discover He was right. 

Other times He tells me what I need is not what I’m straining after, but on the shelf right in front of me. He has already made it available. All I need to do is accept it. Give thanks for it.

Today, if you feel like what you need is unobtainable, I want to encourage you—God’s arms are not too short. Talk to Him about it, whether it’s help conquering a habit, courage to stand for the truth, the ability to understand His Word, relief from depression or guilt. Anything.

Here are three prayers you can personalize to fit your circumstances. I’m confident He will answer in ways you never thought possible.

Lord, I believe your arm is not too short to reach this person:_______. You see, hear, and have the power and desire to save them. 

Lord, your arm is not too short for this situation: _______. You know all the details and can see the future. You know what needs to happen. I trust you in this.

Father, your arm is not too short to help me in my struggle against: _______. I am powerless, but you can give me victory.

#helpforthehelpless #longarmsforshortpeople #Ican’tHecan #conqueringaddiction #depression

Should We Be Freaking Out?

The article on the “After School Satan” club in our local newspaper is raising quite a stir.* The Satanic Temple wants to start a club in our local elementary school. Should we be freaking out right now? Should we be tearing out our hair in despair, or picketing to get this club banned from schools? 
 

The more America abandons God and the truths of the Bible, the more territory Satan gains. That’s exactly what The Satanic Temple (TST) wants to do. It’s targeting schools where the Good News Club actively shares the hope of Jesus Christ. They offer lessons on evolutionary science and “rational thinking” in clubs led by “caring Satanists.”

If you’ve read the Bible this is no surprise. Jesus said this would happen. He said the world would hate those who love Him; that they would try to discredit the message of Christ and His messengers. Those in the world will do everything they can to wipe out Jesus’ followers, including murder, which is happening more now than ever before in history. Now it’s beginning in our country.

Interestingly enough, TST head Finn Rezz claims they’re a non-theistic group and don’t believe in an actual Satan or actual God. Yet they claim status as a religious club and fight for equal representation in schools. And seek to place their group specifically in schools hosting Good News Club. As Rezz stated, “Nehalem Elementary is the first school TST has reached out to for an After School Satan Club because students have access to a Good News Club” (emphasis mine).

That doesn’t mean we need to panic. This is a wake-up call—to believers and nonbelievers alike—that there is a very real battle going on between good and evil. God jealously desires the hearts of men, because He is our Creator; He loves us and longs to rescue us from the pain and heartache of sin, and offer us eternal life with Him. Satan envies God’s power and seeks to steal the hearts of men to kill and destroy them; he will lure them in by whatever tactics he has at his disposal, including appearing as an angel of light (or enlightenment). 

It’s actually a good thing this is in the news, because it makes people aware of the spiritual struggle. And it should challenge us to pray like never before. Pray without ceasing. Pray specifically for the individuals involved—like Finn Rezz, head of the Portland chapter of TST, or the leaders in your area. We also need to be praying for our school superintendents—(Paul Erlebach in Tillamook), as well as the principals, teachers, and parents who feel caught between allowing what they feel is wrong and what government seems to be dictating. For, if they ban this religious group, they must ban all religious groups from the schools. 

Most of all, we need to pray for our children, who are easily attracted by snacks, seemingly kind and caring leaders, fun games, and teaching that promises intellectual superiority. After all, shouldn’t we decide what is right or wrong for us? This is the same deception the serpent used in the Garden of Eden—doubting what God had said, yearning for forbidden knowledge, and to be like God (Gen 3:1, 4). That didn’t end so well.

We don’t need to be afraid though; Jesus has already won. But we do need to be ready to tell others why we have such hope every chance we can (1 Pet. 3:15-16), and we need to care about each person who has been or is in danger of being deceived and lost without God. 

* “Devilish new club proposed for Nehalem Elementary,”Tillamook Headlight Herald, by Jordan Wolfe, Wednesday, August 13, 2016.

#AfterSchoolSatan #religiousfreedom #howshouldChristiansrespond #calltoprayer #Satanistagenda #GoodNewsClubtargeted