Just Being Me

Lately I’ve been thinking about how long it has taken me to accept who God created me to be. He has wonderfully made both you and I. (Psalm 139:13-14) We are transformed into His image moment by moment and day by day. (Genesis 1:27) I dare say it has taken me a lifetime to get here. To accept yourself isn’t easy, but I am finding that with God’s unfailing love it can be accomplished. I never understood how God could accept us so lovingly, and willingly give His life for His children. Does this amaze you as well? I hope so.

I used to believe that I needed to be perfect and do everything right to be accepted. Wow, how wrong I was! Jesus died for us while we were still sinners. (Romans 5:8) I never met anyone else willing to love us unconditionally, except God. All we need to do in return is choose Christ as our Savior! (Ephesians 2:8-9)

If you don’t mind, I have another morsel or two to share. I never used to celebrate my birthday. In fact, I went out of my way to ignore the special day God set aside for me. I realize now that every human being is precious, and all of heaven rejoices when a baby is created. We should be celebrated. Wow! He loves us that much! Isn’t that amazing? God doesn’t make junk!

My second morsel is about how our God continues to work on us till the day HE returns. (Philippians 1:6) Do you know what that means? We don’t have to be perfect, just willing. We don’t have to be complete by our own efforts. In fact we can’t be. Isn’t that awesome? It isn’t by our strength. We become complete in Him inch by inch and step by step. (Ephesians 2:10)

The Holy Spirit is with us forever. He never condemns just convicts and guides us. In this way, we become His usable vessels, equipped for every good work. Remember God chastens (corrects) those HE loves and that includes you and I. (Hebrews 12:6) That is amazing to me! We are ALL works in progress, and no one has gotten it all yet. Each one of us is growing and learning as we cast our cares to Him. (1 Peter 5:7)

Godly correction is not to condemn us but to convict us so we will repent. I wish I could say I learned this over night but I didn’t. I am learning His correction is for my benefit. It helps me stay on course and in sync with His Word. Otherwise, if we’re left to our own whims, where would we end up?

Let’s chew on that for a minute. If we ask, seek and knock HE will open the doors. (Matthew 7:7-8) God chose us, taking us from the darkness of sin and into His marvelous light. (1 Peter 2:9) I just love this! He created us! That means you and I are His family, and we will be with Him forever and ever! He is our everything, and as we abide in Him, we abide fully in His love. (1 John 4:16; John 15:12)

Jesus loves you and I, no matter our flaws, mistakes, our past, or where we are right now. Our God, the Lord Jesus Christ is alive! And we are complete in Him, lacking-nothing. (James 1:2-4) And don’t try to be perfect, because only Jesus is perfect. When we accept Jesus as Savior, we’re His family and He will never leave or forsake us!