I am going to do my best to describe to you how utterly ‘befouled’ I feel from events over the last few weeks… my identity has been sullied via technology (and a whole lot more) and I have felt mentally invaded by an enemy that has tried to discredit me and my immediate family!
Along with feelings that have ranged from anger, disgust, humiliation, hurt, and a whole lot more – one analogy does spring to mind!
My husband and I run a Marriage Course for couples and during this COVID season we have been running them online. On one of the sessions, it describes two different types of personalities when it comes to conversing with one another – rhinos and hedgehogs! Over the last few weeks, I have identified with the later….
Hedgehogs – when angry they will inappropriately withdraw when threatened and give off ‘spiky – don’t touch me’ persona!
But due to knowing that, I have had to revert to what I know to be true!
In the Bible – God says;
1 Peter 2:9 - “But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special possession, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light.“
Galatians 2:20 - “ I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.”
Ephesians 2:10 - “For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.”
Psalm 139:14 - “I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well”
So if God’s word (the Bible) says all that about ‘me’ then I have to believe that my identity is not in what others may do to me but more importantly what God (the Word, the Bible) says about me and who He is in me 😊
Acts 17:28 – ‘it is through him that we live and function and have our identity…’
Matthew 5:48 – ‘…Live out your God-created identity. Live generously and graciously toward others, the way God lives toward you.’
My understanding of this then, as I continue walking my current unresolved personal journey, is that I still need to be generous and gracious towards others. That is rather a big expectation Lord?
To do this, my everyday roles as a daughter (no longer now as my father passed away 4/2/21), sister, wife, mother, Gran, friend, and colleague is to perform what is before me at the time, to the best of my ability and with the excellence God has enabled me.
It is Valentines Day this weekend (where I live) and due to COVID regulations (not planned), I was unable to facilitate an event for my work role so at the last minute had to turn around and bless other community groups on the day with 100’s of stemmed red roses, letting them know how much they are loved in this season. It was so wonderful to see the smiles and appreciation on faces that could not believe we were doing this for them & for Free! 😊
Also in my frustration of personal events, I got in and baked (being busy with my hands took away current worries) and iced biscuits to give away, along with other items to couples on our current course – so they too know they are loved 😊
If I can remind myself each day that my Identity is not to do with me and that God is in control, then I am way ahead of the game and look forward to sharing with you further down the track how my Heavenly Father is going to turn this current set of circumstances around for His good!
Romans 8:28 AMP – ‘and we know (with great confidence) that God (who is deeply concerned about us) causes all things to work together (as a plan) for good for those who love God, to those who are called according to His plan and purpose.’
AMEN!
(let it be so)