A few weeks ago I went for a walk at the park and found myself praying and asking God, “Who am I to you.” As I kept walking and waiting for a response he spoke this to my heart; ADVENTURER! If you can imagine, I began walking with a bit more pep in my step and a little more confidence. It is always refreshing and encouraging to be reminded of who we are in Christ and how God sees us.
Of course this was something I knew about myself but was forgetting to incorporate it in my weekly living. I need adventure in my life on the regular! Can I get an amen?! 😉 Whether it be going for a hike, exploring new parks or places with friends, trying out new restaurants, etc.
Training camp was an adventure in itself! I spent eleven days preparing for the World Race and in numerous group discussions/classes that spoke on identity and who God says we are. Coincidence, I think not! So I decided to take the word ‘adventurer’ and break it down letter by letter to share with you different areas of breakthrough and growth that have taken place in my life that God reminded me of at training camp.
Always –
God promises us, always. Numerous times in Scripture he promised his people that he would always be with them; He went before them and was by there side leading them through both the good and the difficult times. The story of Moses and the Israelite’s is one of the stories in the bible that comes to my mind. Though it seemed the Israelite’s would forever be stuck in slavery, God kept his promise and brought them out of it. He stayed with them through there suffering and beyond. He heard there prayers and brought them out of slavery. I like to think back on all the times he brought me out of difficult and (what seemed to be) hopeless situations. Sometimes it may not feel like God is with us but his promises are true for me and you. He wants to go through life with us. He comes into our lives and hearts to stay, not to visit.
Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.
Hebrews 13:5
Determined –
For years I’ve been filled with determination to love God, love others and to love myself more genuinely and authentically. A common prayer of mine is to see myself through Gods eyes. It finally clicked that I was unable to love people to the fullest because I did not fully love myself. I believed lies about my identity for a large amount of my life and instead of coming against them, I just accepted the lies as truth. But God continuously reminded/reminds me how he sees me and that my identity is in Christ, not in what others or the world say about me. It is amazing because in this next season of life he has filled me with determination to travel the nations to speak truth into the lives of others; to let them know that they are loved and that their life and story matters. – If you have never asked God how he sees you, I encourage you to do so. It was life-changing for me. I’m believing in the same for you!!
I am chosen of God, holy and dearly loved.
Colossians 3:12
Value –
Our lives have value, meaning, and purpose. So often I meet people who say they are searching and trying to find out who they are. I’ve been there! But the truth is, we find who we truly are in Christ! That is where genuine happiness, love, and joy come from. God views us each in a unique and special way and loves us more than we can even begin to fathom; so much that he sent his Son Jesus to die on the cross to pay for our sins. In Scripture it says, “Just as a body, though one, has many parts, but all its many parts form one body, so it is with Christ. We were all baptized by one Spirit so as to form one body; there are many parts but one body.” This meaning that we each serve a special purpose in life. If we were all good at the same thing, what a boring world we would live in! God wants us to come together to use our passions, talents, and our lives for his glory and to help one another. Unity in community has been one of my favorite phrases lately for that reason. The gifts that he has given each of us are worth sharing and bringing to life.
1 Corinthians 12
Escaping from envy –
One thing I learned over the years was that when my heart was full of envy, I wasn’t able to see myself the way God saw me. I was giving into the opinions of the world and was constantly caught up in looking, acting, and living a certain way. It became super easy to fall into the comparison trap. But once I started taking those negative thoughts captive and choosing to believe what God says about me, I began loving myself and being genuinely happy with the woman God created me to be.
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.
Psalm 139:13-14
Never forget –
In Deuteronomy God reminded the Israelite’s time and time again not to forget all that he had brought them out of and saved them from; slavery being one of those things. This has been a great reminder for me, especially when things don’t seem to be going well or how I plan them to go. But it brings me peace knowing that God is in control and that there have been countless victories in my life when I’ve chosen to surrender my own agenda or circumstances and trust in him.
To the faithful you show yourself faithful, to the blameless you show yourself blameless (Psalm 18:25).
Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer (Romans 12:12).
Truth
For years I believed some pretty common lies;
“I’m not good enough.”
“Who could ever love me?”
“I’ve sinned to much for God to ever love or forgive me.”
“I’m to _________for anyone to truly care for me.” — I’m sure a lot of us could have filled in the blank at some point in our lives. But Jesus says otherwise. Here are a few truths on who we are in Christ;
For we are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the things he planned for us long ago. (Ephesians 2:10).
I am a new creation (2 Corinthians 5:17).
I am righteous and holy (Ephesians 4:24).
I am chosen and appointed by Christ to bear His fruit (John 15:16).
I am a son of light and not of darkness (1 Thessalonians 5:5).
Unfailing love –
No matter what, Gods love is and forever will be unfailing and never ending. I’m thankful that our Father in Heaven is full of love, mercy, and forgiveness. We mess up and make mistakes daily but he is still quick to forgive and love us just the same!
**Check out the song, ‘One Thing Remains’ by Jesus Culture.**
I have loved you with an everlasting love. With unfailing love I have drawn you to myself (Jeremiah 31:3).
Reach out –
Last week at training camp one of the topics we talked about was how God speaks to his people. It was a great reminder to me to not only reach to God in prayer but to listen as well. Sometimes he speaks to us through other believers, scripture, a whisper, dreams, a picture, etc. He reaches out to us and wants us to reach out to him too. We can bring anything to the Lord; the good, the bad, the ugly. He is not one to condemn his children. Instead he convicts, forgives, heals, and guides us through it all. He desires to have a two way relationship with his children and I want to make that a constant desire of mine as well. We were created for relationship with him and with each other. And as we live in God, our love grows more perfect.
This is real love – not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as a sacrifice to take away our sins. Dear friends, since God loved us that much, we surely ought to love each other (1 John 4:10-11).
Encouragement –
I remember growing up in church and listening to our pastor tell us that our words have the power of either life or death. It was a lesson that went through one ear and out the other because at that time I was just a High Schooler looking to fit in. At that point in life I didn’t care about what I said or didn’t say. I now realize that at that time I was conforming to the patterns of the world. Thank the Lord he saved me from that way of thinking and dangerous mindset! I’ll be honest, it has been a journey and I still struggle with my choice of words at times… especially when I get overwhelmed or upset. In those moments I try to remember that I want my words to be filled with life and love instead of frustration and negativity. Today I’m stuck reflecting on how our words truly do have power and have the potential to save or change someones life for the better. ~ Lets encourage one another and love one another as ourselves. Here are some scriptures that have been helpful for me;
You must all be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to get angry (James 1:19).
May these words of my mouth and this meditation of my heart be pleasing in your sight (Psalm 19:14).
**What are some go to scriptures for you?**
React –
God gives us the choice to react, to respond, to ask questions… Sometimes he asks us to leave a job or a career to venture down a different path; to leave the country to go on a mission trip; to move to another state. And the things he asks us to do can even be a bit uncomfortable and/or intimidating. But he knows us better than we know ourselves and knows what is best for our lives. A lot of the times he puts us in stretching situations to give us an opportunity to grow! For me, he gave me the opportunity and choice to either say yes or no to going on this mission trip. Though I may find myself in situations I’m not as comfortable or familiar with, I know he is my comforter and the one I can go to for guidance. His word is a lamp for my feet and a light on my path. I’m choosing to trust in him and have faith that his plans are better than my own. I’m pumped to see what he has in store over this next year!
**What is God calling you too? Are there some things that he has put on your heart or spoke to you that you are currently doing or have yet to do? I’d love to hear all about it! Feel free to comment below, call/text me! I would love to pray into all that God is doing in your life and hear all about it. 🙂 **
Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight
(Proverbs 3:5-6).
The picture below is of my squad and I at training camp last week! I cannot wait to adventure around the world and do ministry with these amazing people! 6 more weeks! Let the countdown begin! 🙂
