Finding Me
Recently I was looking for a book for a women’s small group. Most of the titles I came across were about me. Loving me, knowing me, being happy with me, finding the perfect me. You get the idea.
Something about this search was unsettling.
The message is popular. It reminds you you’re beautiful, worthy, loved, talented, amazing, gifted and deserving. (Who doesn’t want to hear all that?!) It’s the topic for women’s conferences, songs and numerous books. If you haven’t discovered these characteristics in yourself, you may just need to be filled up and reminded.
The past 6 months I’ve worked on me. I’ve been able to refocus, discover my goals and gain confidence in the skills I have. There is a time for this. Gaining a better understanding of yourself and those around you while developing your character is a good place to start. In some ways the topic of me never gets old!
But something in this message feels over played and incomplete. When it comes to the kingdom of God, finding identity and discovering his calling on our lives, we should not look to our own understanding. We are invited to trust in God’s strength and to rely on his faithfulness. In Him we find who we were created to be.
If our perspective on life depends on our self-image at the moment, we can become discouraged.
In scripture, when God’s people doubt themselves and dismiss his plans, he reminds them of who he is. He asks his people to remember those who have gone before them and how he has lead them through darkness and deep waters. He makes promises that point to his love and faithfulness.
God doesn’t remind Moses of his great leadership skills and charisma, he calls him to lead and to trust God instead of dwelling on his weaknesses.
When Noah built a giant boat during a drought, he didn’t need to remember his own strength or talent; he was entirely dependent upon God’s promises and nature of faithfulness.
David was small compared to Goliath. Yet he had God on his side, so this was an unbalanced match! Not because of David’s ability, but because of the God that he trusted.
In the same way, Jesus teaches us to pray. The prayer does not begin with a reminder of our own beauty and goodness. It begins with worship. Thy kingdom come, thy will be done, on earth as in heaven. He teaches us to rely on him for our daily bread, to praise him first above all things and finally to forgive and to avoid temptation. He calls us back to remember whom we worship, in whom we trust for our most basic needs, and whose kingdom we live for each day.
When we are feeling discouraged or forget what’s important, rather than seeking affirmation and wisdom from the world, we are encouraged to remember our true identity. “For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.” (Ephesians 2:10)
I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me. (Galatians 2:20)
There are many messages competing for attention. Yet we hold this truth: You make known to me the path of life; in your presence there is fullness of joy; at your right hand are pleasures forevermore. (Psalm 16:11) So, before you go searching for me, first seek the One who will make your life, love and joy complete!
Photo by Erol Ahmed on Unsplash