The You That God Knows

Before God formed you in the womb, He knew you.  You came from the Father, and you were wonderfully made.  You were loved, lovely, and precious, a shining life in this world.

Later, maybe you forgot who you were.  Maybe, there were words or experiences that made you feel flawed, like something was inherently wrong with you.  You might have felt inferior to others at times.  You felt shame, and it was painful.

This is a common tale, and people will often begin to behave from that sense of insufficiency, failure, or weakness.  They might indulge in self-destructive or demeaning behavior. They might become a people-pleaser in an attempt to gain some validation.  They might develop addictive behavior as they try to cope with the pain of shame.  They might try ways to become someone different, someone better, and if they fail, they can at least put on a facade of security, strength, and success.

I have good news!  The "flawed" image is a mirage.  God does not know that person, but He knows you, the real you, the one who is loved by God, and therefore, is quite loveable. "For God so loved the world..."  

That false identity has no name in the book of Life, but your name is there.  The wood, hay, and stubble, erected as a depraved image of you, becomes nothing but ashes in the light of God's Love, until we see the gold, silver, and precious stones that God has always seen.  This is the true you that will always be there. It is the reality of our existence as a precious child of God.

Though I may have acted more like a goat than a sheep in my life, I'm so glad that God has declared to the goat identity, "Depart. I never knew you."  That goat was not me.  God brought forth and revealed my authentic self in Christ.  That old man living in lies, deception, and enmity in my mind has been crucified with Christ.  The liar, the fearful, the unbelieving, has had his part in the lake of fire.  He is gone, and the new man, the true man who is created in righteousness and true holiness is living forever.

When we receive God's abundant grace, we are receiving a Love with no demands.  It's in the light of this Love that we see the beauty of a loving Father for His loveable children.  We have truly been rescued from darkness, and now we rejoice in this marvelous light.  The truth has made us free.

I love the beauty of the gospel.  It is truly good news for everyone to hear.

Have a great day!  We love and appreciate you.