So, if I were to ask you “who are you?” What would you say?
Maybe you would give your name, or say I’m a husband or a wife, a son or a daughter, a doctor, landscaper, a Christian, I’m lonely, depressed, or perhaps you would say I’m a successful business owner, or a failure, or an American, or I am one of the many with coronavirus?
We define ourselves in many ways…through relationships, careers, accomplishments. For some the “stay in place order” has impacted the very things that you would say define who you are! Things like jobs, friends, health are in flux right now. But I want to talk about the real essence of WHO YOU ARE. Psalm 139 can help us get started.
Psalm 139:13-14 (NIV)…For you created my inmost being;you knit me together in my mother’s womb. I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well.
Read that verse a few times, let it sink in. Think about what this says…YOU ARE hand made by the Lord!
The message translation puts it this way:
Psalm 139:13-16 (MSG)…Oh yes, you shaped me first inside, then out;you formed me in my mother’s womb. I thank you, High God—you’re breathtaking! Body and soul, I am marvelously made! I worship in adoration—what a creation! You know me inside and out, you know every bone in my body; You know exactly how I was made, bit by bit, how I was sculpted from nothing into something. Like an open book, you watched me grow from conception to birth; all the stages of my life were spread out before you, The days of my life all prepared before I’d even lived one day.
Read this translation, focus on the underlined phrases and how they define who YOU ARE. Identify the words me, I, my. There are 14 times that God speaks about you personally.
So…The bible is written to help you answer 2 questions… who is God? AndWHO ARE YOU? (in light of who God is.)
YOU ARE a child of God! Adopted into His family! And heir to His kingdom! Romans 8:15…The Spirit you received does not make you slaves, so that you live in fear again; rather, the Spirit you received brought about your adoption to sonship. And by him we cry, “Abba, Let that sink in…you can call God “daddy”…He is your loving father!
YOU ARE a masterpiece! Ephesians 2:10 (NLT)… For we are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago. You are not a mistake or mishap…God never makes junk!
YOU ARE not a finished product…. Romans 12:2…Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will. You are meant to grow, to transform into who you are to become in Christ. Created to transform like a caterpillar into a butterfly. The old self is gone and every new day is a new opportunity to get to know God a little better and to love Him a little more.
YOU ARE meant to accomplish God’s plan for your life! Jeremiah 29:11… For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. God wants to use you to accomplish His plans. Maybe God wants to use you to be His answer someone else’s prayer. Maybe they are praying for a friend, someone to ease their loneliness, someone to show them that you care about them, someone to meet their felt needs? The need is even greater during this pandemic world that we live in. What is God’s plan for you?
YOU ARE cared for! The Lord is with you at every stage of your life! Isaiah 46:4…Even to your old age and gray hairs I am he, I am he who will sustain I have made you and I will carry you; I will sustain you and I will rescue you. Focus on those words…sustain, made, carry, rescue. Find Peace in the fact that God loves you unconditionally. YOU ARE LOVED!
YOU ARE a missionary! Matthew 28:19-20…Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” So think about this verse. Jesus has accomplished His mission on the cross and will be ascending. He does not say “have a great life” “make a lot of money” “look out for # 1”. He says that you have a job to do…”to make disciples”, followers of Jesus….and the best part is that He says He will be with you on your journey.
Maybe God is calling you to go to a distant land (when travel resumes), or maybe to be part of the May 8-10 Servant Saturday, or maybe to connect with the neighbor that lives next door, a family member, a co-worker, a fellow student?
So, what is this devotion all about? It’s about YOU and WHO YOU ARE! To remind YOU that you were made to be YOU…unique, gifted, Loved, and called to reflect the Love of the Lord to all those in your circle of influence! Be creative in these unusual times, reach out to others!
Pastor Dave
My next devotion will be Monday. Take time this weekend to worship with us online. Also spend time checking out the other tools that are on our website….to submit a prayer request, make a donation, find study materials, devotions, podcasts, kids ministries, and much more!
Call me at 440-237-7958 ext. 118 if I can help.