My family and I have been walking through a Job season the last seven months. During this time, the entire world has been turned upside down on it’s head. It’s been a crazy time filled with disease and racial injustice. The hate seen on the news has made me realize how lost people are in this world. People are not acting out of their God-given identity, but out of self-seeking ways.
In prayer as we have watched events unfold, I’ve realized part of my problem is I don’t feel important to God. And this has kept me from responding to others with humility and grace. I so desperately want to be important in the world and to serve God. The reality is you cannot do both. In order to respond with needed humility, you have to recognize your importance to God and God’s importance placed on others.
I believe people are acting in ways which show they don’t feel important to others. My realization of all this came because I don’t feel important to the people in my life. And the truth is, I’m not important to certain people and they have made this known. The last seven years has been a lonely path and I haven’t had the eyes to see how much God loves me and how important I am to Him. By partnering with the enemy on our identity the individuals which make up our country will not thrive. So what can you do?
Believe what God says about you
God created us in his image. God’s design is purposeful and perfect, and He created each one of us with unique gifts. Understanding what He says about us shows us the irrelevancy of other’s opinions. One of my favorite verses is Ephesians 2:10 “For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them.” He says we are fearfully and wonderfully made, his workmanship, loved, and called into good works. Walk out this belief by believing you are loved.
Source of Our Identity Empowers Our Choices
Parents encourage children to “remember who you are.” How much more our Creator and Sustainer God, the Giver of Life, calls us to remember all people are made in His image with purpose, value, dignity and worth. How we see others and ourselves matters. Authentic faith proves we are God’s children. God-given faith includes power to transform our thoughts, priorities, decisions, and relationships. Will you accept conviction and renew your commitment to live by faith in response to God’s wisdom? Then, you will be able to see others with the value, dignity and worth of the Creator.
Pray Without Ceasing and Then Act
We all need to be on our knees praying for each other. 1 Thessalonians 5:17, says “17 pray without ceasing.” And then act. We should ask the Holy Spirit to how to reach out to our brothers and sisters in Christ who look different than us. One of the greatest gifts I’ve received this last year is connecting with the Arabic Church. I’m definitely the odd man out. They’ve let this blonde chick hang out and get to know their culture. It’s been such a gift! Walking alongside them has been a beautiful awakening to the other cultures present in our world.
We’re all important to God and need help to see other’s perspectives. My prayer is to have eyes to see and ears to hear. And then act with mercy, humility and grace.
