“We were trying to find ourselves,” said the aging dad to his adult son in an 80’s sitcom on the television set.
I remembered trying too. Was I my big sister’s best friend? Someones’ daughter? David’s girlfriend? Am I mother? A wife? A poet? A writer? What am I? Who am I? Looking outside ourselves is a common response for these types of internal wrestlings. Will this person, this relationship, this sexual orientation, this talent, a different wardrobe, job, location, my size, my color, my hairstyle put an end to the distress within me?
Did you feel lost growing up? I know I did. And when I look around today, I see I was no exception. Here’s what Scripture tells us about that deep, restless feeling: it’s real. It’s true. And it’s not only psychological disorders that cause us not to like ourselves. We all fight against this loud shout, “What is my life about?” “There’s got to be something more, something other than what I am.”
There’s good news for us—no, here’s the best news for us all. The gospel is the saving answer to these harrowing questions. For the Son of Man has come to seek and to save that which was lost. The resurrection of Christ Jesus by the power of the Holy Spirit is the transformation we’re all looking for.
If anyone is in Christ, they are a new creation. In the Hand of the Almighty we become the masterpiece the Potter made us to be in the first place. You can’t recreate yourself. Trust me, I’ve tried. There’s not a makeup, hair color, or any other physical conversion that can stop our soul’s incessant searching.
If you have been raised in Christ, seek the things that are above. Only by God’s saving grace do we have hope to be empowered by the Spirit in putting to death what is earthly in us: sexual immorality, impurity, passion, evil desire, and covetousness—which is idolatry. On account of these the wrath of God is coming. Jesus gives the grace to put away anger, malice, slander—against ourselves and others. The Spirit of God literally becomes the strength we need to quit lying to ourselves and everybody else. Put on the new self, (For you have died, and your life is hidden in Christ with God.) which is being renewed in knowledge after the image of its Creator.
Live as God’s chosen one, holy and beloved, in the spirit of your new compassionate heart, in kindness, humility, meekness, and patience, bearing with one another, forgiving one another, and above all, put on love, which holds everything together in perfect harmony.
Let the word of God dwell in you richly, and let the peace of God rule your heart.
Let’s pray. Heavenly Father, if there’s anyone reading this who doesn’t know you personally—draw them with Your loving kindness into Your saving grace. For the rest, reset our mind again on what is true, noble, just, loving, pure, virtuous, and praiseworthy. Save us all from the enemy, and the desires of our flesh which only lead to a haunting end. Help us walk in the Spirit for the glory of Your Holy name. Thank you Father, for hearing my prayer.
“We were trying to find ourselves,” said the aging dad to his adult son in an 80’s sitcom on the television set.
I remembered trying too. Was I my big sister’s best friend? Someones’ daughter? David’s girlfriend? Am I mother? A wife? A poet? A writer? What am I? Who am I? Looking outside ourselves is a common response for these types of internal wrestlings. Will this person, this relationship, this sexual orientation, this talent, a different wardrobe, job, location, my size, my color, my hairstyle put an end to the distress within me?
Did you feel lost growing up? I know I did. And when I look around today, I see I was no exception. Here’s what Scripture tells us about that deep, restless feeling: it’s real. It’s true. And it’s not only psychological disorders that cause us not to like ourselves. We all fight against this loud shout, “What is my life about?” “There’s got to be something more, something other than what I am.”
There’s good news for us—no, here’s the best news for us all. The gospel is the saving answer to these harrowing questions. For the Son of Man has come to seek and to save that which was lost. The resurrection of Christ Jesus by the power of the Holy Spirit is the transformation we’re all looking for.
If anyone is in Christ, they are a new creation. In the Hand of the Almighty we become the masterpiece the Potter made us to be in the first place. You can’t recreate yourself. Trust me, I’ve tried. There’s not a makeup, hair color, or any other physical conversion that can stop our soul’s incessant searching.
If you have been raised in Christ, seek the things that are above. Only by God’s saving grace do we have hope to be empowered by the Spirit in putting to death what is earthly in us: sexual immorality, impurity, passion, evil desire, and covetousness—which is idolatry. On account of these the wrath of God is coming. Jesus gives the grace to put away anger, malice, slander—against ourselves and others. The Spirit of God literally becomes the strength we need to quit lying to ourselves and everybody else. Put on the new self, (For you have died, and your life is hidden in Christ with God.) which is being renewed in knowledge after the image of its Creator.
Live as God’s chosen one, holy and beloved, in the spirit of your new compassionate heart, in kindness, humility, meekness, and patience, bearing with one another, forgiving one another, and above all, put on love, which holds everything together in perfect harmony.
Let the word of God dwell in you richly, and let the peace of God rule your heart.
Let’s pray. Heavenly Father, if there’s anyone reading this who doesn’t know you personally—draw them with Your loving kindness into Your saving grace. For the rest, reset our mind again on what is true, noble, just, loving, pure, virtuous, and praiseworthy. Save us all from the enemy, and the desires of our flesh which only lead to a haunting end. Help us walk in the Spirit for the glory of Your Holy name. Thank you Father, for hearing my prayer.
