As a kid, I would look at other grown-ups and envy the lives they had. With awe and wonder, I would say to myself, "I can't wait to be grown!" Because as a kid, I thought adults...
Stayed up as late as they wanted.
Never had homework.
Never had to follow rules.
Could eat whatever they wished.
Always were right.
Always made the right decision.
Never had problems.
Well! Now that I, myself, am an adult...I now know that my impression of other adults was...let's just say...a bit off. As an adult, I realize I CAN stay up as late as I want, but it comes with a price. I might not have homework, but oh what I would do to trade my current responsibilities for a little homework! I DO have to follow rules and when I break them, my consequence is a bit more than a time out or a detention after school. Sure, I can eat whatever I want, but I know it's not healthy and please don't get me started on being fat! I am NOT always right. In fact, I'm hardly right. And I've had my share of poor decisions and have definitely been on the consequential receiving end of other adults in my life making wrong decisions. And problems? Don't we all have problems?!
As a kid, I used to also think that adults had so much confidence. They knew who they were. They had plans and goals. The women in my life seemed so confident and happy. The men in my life were protectors, steady, strong in their beliefs. And I trusted them. They never could do wrong in my eyes. They were safe. And they walked with the Lord.
Yet, now that I am an adult, I feel like the older I get, the less confident I am. Happiness is just a feeling. It's joy that I want. Joy that comes only from God. AND it's something I have to pursue. The people I trusted so much as a kid have disappointed me or passed away. Trust has been shattered. Good people have mad bad choices. And some have completely walked away from the Lord.
And here's the kicker...I have disappointed others, hurt others, angered others. I've failed over and over as a parent. I've walked away from the Lord. Returned. Walked away. Returned again. I've lost the trust of others, made bad choices, sinned against others, and sinned against a God I cherish. And if I'm not careful, I can let the enemy (Satan) convince me of who he thinks I am. Along the way, I can forget who I am and Whose I am.
Is that you today? Have you listened to so many lies about yourself that you now actually believe those lies to be truth? Lies about who you are. Lies about what you do. Lies about your marriage, your friendships, your children. What about the young folks in your life? Do they look at you with the same awe and wonder as I mentioned above? Others are watching us. I wonder what message we are sending.
As I close, I pray you ask God to show you who you are in Him today. I am doing the same. And so far, I 've learned and I choose to believe that...
*I am complete in Him Who is the Head of all principality and power.
*I am alive with Christ.
*I am free from the law of sin and death.
*I am far from oppression, and fear does not come near me.
*I am born of God, and the evil one does not touch me.
*I am holy and without blame before Him in love.
*I have the mind of Christ.
*I have the peace of God that passes all understanding.
AND SO ARE YOU AND SO HAVE YOU.
*"Knowing Who I Am In Christ" -Joyce Meyer
