Monday, February 28, 2011

A Case of Mistaken Identity

Someone recently used my credit card on the other side of the continent. They pretended to be me. It was a case of mistaken identity.

Another recent day someone was quite rude to me, treating me as though I'm not actually the beloved daughter of the King. I almost believed it. Another case of mistaken identity.

So much hinges on knowing who we are.

Some days I act like a twit. I'm insensitive and self-centered. Recognition of that fact is uncomfortable and it would be easy to think that my identity is Idiot or Stupid or Failure Again. That's not who I am.

Some days people around me are demanding and unthankful. It would be easy to treat them like that's who they are.

Some days people are dealing with their own stuff and they feel threated, anxious, insecure or jealous and they respond to others with an attitude of, "Who do they think they are??"

There's only one true identifier of who I am and who you are. It's not my opinion and it's not your opinion...it's all about who our Daddy is and what He says about us. He uses words like:

Beloved (2 Thessalonians 2:13)

Treasure (Deuteronomy 7:6, 1Samuel 25:29)

Precious (Isaiah 43:4)

Delight (Isaiah 62:4)

Friend (John 15:15)

Forgiven (Romans 8:1-2)

When my actions contradict those facts I need to apologize--do whatever is required to clean up my mess--but I'm still who He says I am. When the words or actions of others disagree with what He says, I need to forgive them and remind myself of the truth.

I am who He says I am.

You are who He says you are.

Even before he made the world,
God loved us and chose us in Christ
to be holy and without fault in his eyes.
God decided in advance to adopt us
into his own family by bringing us to himself
through Jesus Christ.
This is what he wanted to do,
and it gave him great pleasure
Ephesians 1:4-5






Saturday, February 12, 2011

Learn of Him


"Christ doesn't command us to trust him, he invites us to learn of him."
Sy Rogers

What an amazing Savior... Not a command, but an invitation. "Learn of me..."

He is kind. (Matt 14:14; Mark 1:41; 5:32; 6:34)

He has time for children. (Matt. 19:13)

He's gentle to those we might despise or look down upon. (John 8; Mark 2:15)

He's fierce to those who oppress others. (Matt. 23:13)

He is patient with the process. (John 4)

He's concerned about our physical needs. (Matt 8:14-15; 15:36)

He cares about relationships. (John 19:27)

He has a sense of humour. (Mark 3:17)

He invests in joyful celebration. (John 2:1-10)

He's compassionate and acquainted with sorrow. (John 11:35)

He gives second chances. (John 8:11)

He knew that if we learned of Him, it would be inevitable that we would trust Him.

Are you tired? Worn out? Burned out on religion?
Come to me. Get away with me and you'll recover your life.
I'll show you how to take a real rest.
Walk with me and work with me--watch how I do it.
Learn the unforced rhythms of grace.
I won't lay anything heavy or ill-fitting on you.
Keep company with me and you'll learn to live freely and lightly.
Matthew 11:28-30 MSG


This is far from a complete list--just some of my favorites. Feel free to add yours in the comments!