I AM
There are so many things that can complete that statement, I am….
There are two things I think of when I think of this statement: I am. It doesn’t say much, yet holds so much weight. My first thought is on the Great I AM, my loving heavenly Father. When I start to worry, I can hear the whisper of God say, I AM. It brings so much comfort in knowing that everything is at the command of God. There isn’t anything happening in our world that He doesn’t know. He has it under His control; I can rest my soul in Him. My second thought over who God says I am. His word is full of loving and encouraging words of affirmation.
Today I want to encourage you with the latter thought, who God says I am. I don’t know if you ever struggled with identity, but I have. I spent so much time feeling unqualified to do meaningful things. Feeling inadequate and feeling as though my abilities were not enough. But God is so good and so merciful. He doesn’t give up on us. With everything we have access to these days, our identity can get very foggy. It is easy to compare yourself with someone else, which somehow makes your life seem insignificant. Whenever you begin to feel insufficient, remember that God crowns you with a beautiful, unique identity. This identity is not one we find in the pleasures and things of this world but one we only discover by seeking God.
~~~Uniquely Created~~~
I’m reminded of the parable of the talents in Matthew 25:14-30. In the parable, a man went on a journey and entrusted his property to his three servants. He then returns, and each servant gives an account of what they did with the portion assigned to them. Two of the three servants beard fruit, but one didn’t. He returned his part without having beard any profit. It seems harsh and maybe a little unfair that the man in the parable punishes the servant who didn’t do anything with His talents, but there is a hard truth we must learn from this parable. God gives each one of us according to our abilities. If anyone knows what you are capable of, it’s God. Instead of focusing on what you can not do, begin to ask God to show you how He can use the talents and abilities you do have. In the parable, they were not all gifted the same way and were not expected to bear fruit in the same way. When it comes to unqualified and insignificant feelings, we sometimes compare ourselves to others. I would know I’m guilty of this! Here is what I gathered from this parable, why do I concern myself with what is not entrusted to me? I have my own gifts to steward, and I am accountable for what is entrusted to me. Why would I burn myself with wanting something that is not mine to bear?
But don’t be discouraged! You are fearfully and wonderfully made. We are each God’s handiwork, created with a specific purpose; that’s pretty amazing! Let’s be intentional about who God says I am and live in that truth. If He is the great I am, then I am everything He says I am.
Ephesians 2:10 says,
“For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which He prepared in advance for us to do.”
~~~Accepted~~~
There are many things that the enemy will and can use to make you feel like you are unqualified—disqualifying you from the truths of God over your life. Begin to identify what those things are and realize that those things affect you. It may be time to start making some severe changes in your life. It could be that you have made some bad choices in the past, which makes you feel unqualified. That is the enemy; let’s shed some light on those lies. God knows who you are, knows what you have done. Even with all the baggage, He doesn’t ask us to sort it out before coming to Him. Psalm 103:4 says He redeems your life from the pit; He crowns you with steadfast love and mercy.
I will wrap up this here, but I want to keep writing on this topic, so be sure to check out the next blog, I Accept Me. Be the one who believes in you too!