This is going to be short and sweet. Just something God has put on my heart.
On Sunday at North Hills Church, my South African church which holds a piece of my heart already, I went to an extra service at night called SUPER SUNDAY (it was quite super) with Megan and Francie. It was a smaller, intimate group setting that was put on by the youth of the church, namely college-age members. The whole night was focused on identity. My new South African buddy Brett had Francie, Megan, and I come in front of the church and each introduce ourselves and say what our family heritages are. (Side note: If you ask a person in South Africa where their family is from, they say that they are South African. In America, literally nobody says they are American unless they are Native American. We always say “I’m about three quarters German and a quarter Norwegian” or whatever yours is. Isn’t that interesting? Our country is so made up of immigrants from all over and THAT is what we identify with.)
Anyway, we told the congregation our family heritages and then sat down. I didn’t understand why Brett had us do this until he related it to identity in Christ. If I were to ask you right now “Who are you?” what would you say? Would you define who you are based on your profession? Your beauty? Wealth? Status? I have to ask myself these questions. Or better yet, who/what am I allowing to define me? Society’s standards for who a woman should be/look like/say/do? Do I dwell on negative words spoken over me by any friends or people in my life? I realized that for me, the culprit of who I see myself as is defined by envy and comparison. I let envy eat away at me as I compare myself to other people. Not just physically, but spiritually.
How much do I allow myself to be defined by how God sees me? Well, that’s difficult because I’m not sure how He sees me sometimes. I realized on Sunday that I have been believing something different than I have been saying to other people. I have always said that “God forgives your sins and they are as far as the east is from the west” and that “God loves you so much; more than your mind can even comprehend!” and yet, I realized that I haven’t even been believing this for myself. He really does forgive me for all of the awful things I have done and thought? He really does think about me all throughout the day and is excited for His plans for me?
We received a sheet of paper that is addressed as a letter to you from God. Under each sentence, it references the verse of the Bible it is from. I want to write out a few of these sentences. If you want the verses, just let me know.
My child,
You may not know me, but I know everything about you.
I am familiar with all your ways.
You were made in my image.
You are my offspring.
I knew you even before you were conceived.
I chose you when I planned creation.
You were not a mistake, for all your days are written in my book.
I am not distant and angry, but am the complete expression of love.
And it is my desire to lavish my love on you.
I offer you more than your earthly father ever could.
Every good gift that you receive comes from my hand.
My plan for your future has always been filled with hope.
My thoughts toward you are countless as the sand on the seashore.
I will never stop doing good to you.
If you seek me with all your heart, you will find me.
I am your greatest encourager.
One day I will wipe away every tear from your eyes.
In Jesus, my love for you is revealed for He is the exact representation of my being.
I am for you, not against you.
And I am not counting your sins.
Love,
God
Once I learn to fully accept God’s love, I think then I will be able to define myself based on how He sees me. I am no longer going to value myself based on the world, or whether I am being pursued by a guy or not, or whether I have a boyfriend (which hasn't really happened...ever-ish. I am learning to be more and more thankful for this everyday by the way). I am handing all of this over into God's hands and placing my trust in Him. I want my identity to be in Him. I am a beloved daughter of Christ. So awesome.
Well I guess that wasn’t as short as I thought it would be, but hopefully it was sweet. And I hope it encourages you as much as it encouraged me.
Sending you a big fat hug from Africa!
Britt
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