A few nights ago, I sat down to write a letter to my baby girl. By baby girl, I mean my five year old daughter. She’s had an interesting journey on earth so far, one that’s a little more difficult than most...but that’s not the point of this post. The point is, I wanted her to know her identity was secure...to not have to spend a lifetime wondering why...how...or if she’s enough. I wrote:
“...I want you to be able to say I AM FREE. And to know it all the way down to that gorgeous, thoughtful heart of yours who you are ... but you know what baby girl? You don’t need a name, or a diagnosis, or a reason to know it. You can already know. You are a child of God.You are beloved. You are adored. You are redeemed. You are adopted. You are NEVER alone. You are part of the body of Christ -- an important part. These are the only things that will make you feel full. And baby girl, seek them out. Find your identity in Christ. Rest in the permanence of his promise, his always enduring love, and care, and TRUTH. Girl, from the foundation of the world he set his people apart. He knew the name “Loyce Kelly” long before my parents even knew me. He knew that you were his, and I can only hope, and dream, and pray that you know you always and forever belong fully to the kingdom of Christ..."
And then I realized, this isn’t a message just for Loyce. This is a message all women (and men) who are in Christ NEED to hear and to understand. We live in a culture that claims to be about self love, self care, and being who we are, but I think that leaves many of us empty. When you are told you can be anything you want, anything you can imagine, you don’t walk away with any promise or hope. If things don’t look like you imagined when you pursue “you”, it could feel like “you” are just insufficient. The most beautiful thing about the hope and the joy we experience in Christ is that he has already told us EXACTLY who we are!
We are God’s people...chosen, adopted, and redeemed. We are part of one united body in Christ, and we are never alone. If nothing else in this world makes you feel worthy, you can cling to the love and the promises of Christ. There is no magical “you” that will give you value...you are already adored! God was so confident in his creation that he was willing to give his Son to take our place. God has loved us so much - He has loved messed up, broken, hopeless, identity starved, searching us SO much - that he was willing to crucify Jesus for our sin long before we even took our first breath.
((TO BE CONTINUED))
“...I want you to be able to say I AM FREE. And to know it all the way down to that gorgeous, thoughtful heart of yours who you are ... but you know what baby girl? You don’t need a name, or a diagnosis, or a reason to know it. You can already know. You are a child of God.You are beloved. You are adored. You are redeemed. You are adopted. You are NEVER alone. You are part of the body of Christ -- an important part. These are the only things that will make you feel full. And baby girl, seek them out. Find your identity in Christ. Rest in the permanence of his promise, his always enduring love, and care, and TRUTH. Girl, from the foundation of the world he set his people apart. He knew the name “Loyce Kelly” long before my parents even knew me. He knew that you were his, and I can only hope, and dream, and pray that you know you always and forever belong fully to the kingdom of Christ..."
And then I realized, this isn’t a message just for Loyce. This is a message all women (and men) who are in Christ NEED to hear and to understand. We live in a culture that claims to be about self love, self care, and being who we are, but I think that leaves many of us empty. When you are told you can be anything you want, anything you can imagine, you don’t walk away with any promise or hope. If things don’t look like you imagined when you pursue “you”, it could feel like “you” are just insufficient. The most beautiful thing about the hope and the joy we experience in Christ is that he has already told us EXACTLY who we are!
We are God’s people...chosen, adopted, and redeemed. We are part of one united body in Christ, and we are never alone. If nothing else in this world makes you feel worthy, you can cling to the love and the promises of Christ. There is no magical “you” that will give you value...you are already adored! God was so confident in his creation that he was willing to give his Son to take our place. God has loved us so much - He has loved messed up, broken, hopeless, identity starved, searching us SO much - that he was willing to crucify Jesus for our sin long before we even took our first breath.
((TO BE CONTINUED))
Comments
Post a Comment