Things change in an instant. Emergencies are declared, bombs go off, explosions occur, ships sink, plans are ruined, worlds turned upside down…all in an instant. When we don’t know the right answers and everything feels like its dissolving into chaos, there are truths that remain unchanging. I have nothing else to cling to right now, so I’m clinging to these truths.
WHO HE IS:
Creator, Father, King. Sovereign and eternal. Omnipotent, omniscient, omnipresent. He is the Alpha and the Omega, the first and the last. The commander of hosts of angels. He is Love. A healer. The God of peace and the God of hope. He is my strength when I am weak. Holy. Just. Merciful. A mighty fortress, a strong tower, my rock, and my shield. He is faithful and good. My God loved me enough to send His only Son as a sacrifice for my sins. This Son, Jesus, is the Christ, the Messiah, the Lamb of God. Blameless and perfect. He is Prophet, Priest, and King. My savior, mediator, friend, and shepherd. Jesus is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation. Fully God and fully man. He is the One who was beaten, mocked, and falsely accused, the One who wore a crown of thorns for me. The author and perfecter of faith. Immanuel: God with us. Son of the living God who defeated death: the conqueror of sin. Peacemaker, justifier, propitiation. Judge. Everlasting. Unchanging.
WHO I AM:
I am a daughter of the King. Broken. Beautiful. Created. A masterpiece. Loved. Made new. Justified. Blessed. A messenger of hope. A light in the dark. Ambassador to the nations. I have no reason to fear, I have a spirit of power and love and discipline. Adopted. Fully known. Commanded by my King, I live to serve Him. The yoke I bear is easy because I rest in Him. I am the one who can do all things through Christ who gives me strength. I am joyful. I am free. I will run my race in faith because He ran His and bore the cross for me. I’m a sinner, a saint, and a sufferer. Alive in Christ. Ambassador. Child. An heir to the Kingdom. Blameless. Redeemed. Bondservant of Christ. My future is known by my God and it is one with hope. I was ransomed by the spotless, perfect Lamb. My soul purchased by His blood. I have been called to a new life. I am forgiven, saved, and healed. A believer. I am chosen. I am His.
These lists are imperfect, but they are a starting point. Our God is a great God and if our identity is in Him then we always have hope. This is who I am and that will never change no matter what chaos hits me next. Who are you?
Elaine, thank you for this encouragement. In times of chaos, it is mandatory that we turn our eyes to the Lord, remembering who He is and who we are. We need to remember that He is still in control and has a plan for everything so that, instead of becoming discouraged when we encounter tribulation, we can count it all joy "for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness" (James 1:3).
ReplyDeleteAmen to that!
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