Internet Cafe

Sunday, January 6, 2008

I am "somebody" to Him

I have this quote by Carol Kent neatly tucked away along with scriptures that speak to me about my significance in Christ and His unconditional love for me.



Our deepest passion for significance is finally satisfied when we realize He is all we need and we are "somebody" to Him.



I have struggled with feeling significant most of my life. I know that in part it stems from growing up in a home that unknowingly teased me as the only girl and sent me a subtle message that boys had more value. I was the oldest and not the biological daughter of my father, which only solidified my thoughts even more. It took many years as a Christian to know beyond any doubt that I was personally important to God, and that He loved me unconditionally, and that my life could bring glory to Him.

Psalm 139 tells us that we are fearfully and wonderfully made. We are reminded that God created our inmost being and knit us together in our mother’s womb. We’re told that our frame was not hidden from God when we were formed in the secret place and that His eyes saw our unformed body. The psalmist also states that all of the days that God ordained for us were written in His book before we were even born. I don’t know how one could say “SIGNIFICANT!” any better than this?


So why do I question my worth? Why do feelings of insignificance sometime cloud everything the Bible says about me? Why do I sometimes let one person destroy my sense of belonging? Why do I struggle with what other people think of me? Why is all this so important? Because what we believe about ourselves often determines how we will live. (And also can completely distort our view of God, but that is a post for another day)

If we believe and live out lies, we will end up in bondage. It doesn't matter how much affirmation we receive from others, one negative criticism or just a little dose of rejection and we are devastated because we have let others determine our worth.


The need to feel accepted began in the Garden. God created man to have fellowship with Himself. From the beginning relationships were to bring us joy, completeness, acceptance, and significance. But Satan is a great liar! Not only was Adam and Eve’s relationship with God ruined by his lies, every one of us face the same doubts as a result of sin.


The list of those who doubted their own significance in scripture would include names like Moses, Joshua (Joshua 1:9), and David (2 Samuel 7:18-19). Moses responded to the Lord in Exodus 3:11 with the words, “Who am I, that I should go to Pharaoh and bring the Israelites out of Egypt?”

The enemy is still a liar today. And if I believe those lies and allow the disappointment from others, failures, unfulfilled expectations, thoughts of worthlessness and inadequacy determine my significance, than I become incapable of seeing who God is and how valuable I am to Him. The TRUTH is I am valuable to God. (I suggest reading through and meditating on Psalms 139:1-18) No bells and whistles, No need to try and impress Him, No need to show Him my list of accomplishments, No need to try and look good. God Himself finds me significant and has demonstrated His love through the cross. It is God who loved me first. When God sent His only Son, Jesus, to die on a cross for your sins and mine, our worth was determined once and for all.



“In this the love of God was made manifest among us, that God sent his only Son into the world, so that we might live through him. In this is love, not that we have loved God but that he loved us and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins.” 1 John 4:9-10

Father, Thank you for loving me with an unconditional love that is not based on anything that I could do or who I am, but solely on who you are. Thank you for giving Your Son to be the propitiation for my sins.
Help me to renew my mind with the Word of God and replace the lies with the truth, God loves me and I have significance in Him. Amen.

In Him...Chris



Chris can also be found at her personal blog Come to the Table

Labels: , , , ,

21 Comments:

Blogger Betty said...

A very powerful message. Thank you.

January 5, 2008 at 11:05 PM  
Blogger Judy said...

I was actually struggling with the thought of whether or not I have been significant to anyone, and then I "stumbled" upon this post. Thank you God, for bringing me here and reminding me that I am significant to you. I am blessed.

January 5, 2008 at 11:41 PM  
Blogger Denise said...

God loves you with an unfailing, unfaltering love dear one.

January 6, 2008 at 12:28 AM  
Blogger windycindy said...

Chris, I fine your writings very comforting. It seems we human beings have many of the same feelings, whether they are positive and/or negative. Thanks for sharing your feelings and thoughts. Cindi
jchoppes[at]hotmail[dot]com

January 6, 2008 at 12:55 AM  
Blogger Laura said...

Amen! Amen! Preach it Chris! Your perceptiveness about how one negative encounter or comment can snarl us for a day - funny how we zero in on those, isn't it? Thanks for this wonderful reminder of our significance and worth that is only found in Christ.

January 6, 2008 at 6:34 AM  
Blogger Lisa @ The Preacher's Wife said...

Excellent word, Chris. I agree with Laura. We can have the praise of a thousand but it's the criticism of one that replays itself in our minds.

I love that you mention Moses because I love him so! When he asked 'who am I' God responded with "I AM". It doesn't matter one second who we are - it's all about the ability of God to choose the vessel through whom He can be most glorified. He's not looking for the 'got it togethers' because His glory would be overshadowed.

Oh how I could go on for a while on that one, but I'll leave you with a 'well done, my sistah!"

Lisa

January 6, 2008 at 9:01 AM  
Blogger Mocha with Linda said...

I'll be reading this one over again. Psalm 139 is one of my favorite psalms, but I still struggle with unconditional acceptance. The voices from our childhood can be so hard to silence, and in my upbringing there was always a "but" that followed any praise. My parents were fine Christians and meant well, trying to bring out our best, but the unintended result was the sense of never measuring up.

God has taught me much about grace these past few years. How thankful I am that the Bible is full of ordinary folks who failed to measure up, but who God in His mercy used in a mighty way, not because of who they were, but because of Who He IS.

Thanks for a great devotion.

January 6, 2008 at 10:49 AM  
Blogger lori said...

Chris...
"Why do I struggle with what other people think of me?"

letting that go and letting GOD do the work in me that HE needs to do! I love reading about those who have walked before us, and when I really mediatate, I understand that they had the same fears and doubts that I do...they just TRUSTED God and ALLOWED Him to move in them, and not shrink back in fear...
I needed this today! (especially since it's that time of the month...;))
blessings to you!!
peace,
lori

January 6, 2008 at 11:34 AM  
Blogger Heather said...

You've stated it very well here today. We must change our thinking which in turn affects our behavior.

January 6, 2008 at 11:58 AM  
Blogger Linda said...

This is truly an inspired post Chris. I was just pondering these things the other day. Soaking in a hot bubble bath, I was trying to figure out why it is I tend to "hero worship" other people. I think it is because I am so dissatisfied with who I perceive myself to be. I have lots more to think through on this, but your words speak to it so well. Until I see my value through His eyes, I will always look to others for my own sense of worth.
I love that Psalm and turn to it over and over again. I share it with others who are struggling, but I need to soak it into my own spirit.
Thanks for faithfully writing truth Chris. (I think you could expand this into a wonderful Bible Study).

January 6, 2008 at 12:02 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Thank you so much Chris! I was re-reading Psalm 139 last night. What beautiful words our Savior has left behind to encourage us during our doubting times!

Thank you, Chris, for sharing with us!

In Him,
Elaine

January 6, 2008 at 3:21 PM  
Blogger Unknown said...

Hi chris,

The enemy IS still a liar today! This is true and he tries to trip me up exactly as you have described here. Powerful post. Thank you.

January 6, 2008 at 3:26 PM  
Blogger Hey it's Amy Benson said...

Very well said. What a great post, I'm glad I accidently found it! :D
Have a blessed week.

January 6, 2008 at 5:25 PM  
Blogger twinklemom said...

This is a powerful message! God bless you for sharing this with us!

January 6, 2008 at 6:03 PM  
Blogger Cheryl said...

I struggle with what others think about me also. This post has really helped me today. I needed this. "Why do I sometimes let one person destroy my sense of belonging?" that question is very familiar to me! I do it sometimes. Great Post! Thanks!

January 6, 2008 at 6:47 PM  
Blogger b said...

"It doesn't matter how much affirmation we receive from others, one negative criticism or just a little dose of rejection and we are devastated because we have let others determine our worth."

How true! One little comment and my world can fall apart in a moment! It amazes me every time it happens...It shows me the importance I place on what others think, how I doubt myself at every turn, and don't really understand (or believe)the value God places on me.

Thank you for the post. B.

January 6, 2008 at 7:42 PM  
Blogger 2nd Cup of Coffee said...

I was just thinking of this very topic this week, esp. as it relates to teenagers. Great post.

January 6, 2008 at 8:22 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Like almost every other person on the planet, I've believed a lie or two (or a million) of the enemy. I always love hearing about one more child of God who has shed the lies and now walks in truth. It's my favorite kind of story! Real freedom! Praise God!

January 6, 2008 at 9:37 PM  
Blogger Kelly said...

Wow-I think you speak so directly to the hearts of many women. We so desire to be significant. Thank you for this reminder about where we should look for this untimately!

January 7, 2008 at 1:05 PM  
Blogger Praise and Coffee said...

Chris,
This is so beautiful. I love reading about how much He loves me!! It is a message that can never be overdone, especially when it puts the emphasis on Him and not us.

Through abuse as a child and lots of other circumstances, I have struggled with worth myself.
The Lord is so faithful.
It is so good to know that He will never reject us.

Thank you for the reminder, I needed it today!
Hugs,
Sue

January 7, 2008 at 1:06 PM  
Blogger Susanne said...

Chris I am going to bookmark this post and when those feelings of insecurity and insignificance arise I am going to read and reread it. Thank you for reminding me of God's unconditional love.

January 8, 2008 at 11:28 PM  

Post a Comment

It is good to hear from you... thank you so very much for leaving a note on the table. That makes us smile!

Subscribe to Post Comments [Atom]

<< Home