Why is it so challenging for me to rest in assurance of my “sonship” (daughter-ship). In this moment I am still blown away by the fact that it is true. I am a child of God. I am a daughter of the King. I am asking God to give me eyes to see and a mind to understand the fullness of what it means to be a daughter of the King.
I became a child of God at a young age. I confessed with my mouth that Jesus was Lord, and believed in my heart that God raised Him from the dead. From that moment on, I was saved! It was that simple. In my child-like faith, I walked in belief that I was His daughter. But at some point in time, a time that I cannot pinpoint exactly, I became convinced otherwise. I became convinced that hard work was required to earn that title. I became convinced that the finished work of Jesus Christ on the cross was not enough. I was convinced that my shame of falling into temptations was too much, was too displeasing to my Father that I could not be fully effective for Him and His Kingdom.
Fast forward to adult Joelle. I was in the midst of graduate school when I rededicated my life to the Lord. For me, this looked like confession to Jesus that I have been holding onto my life too tightly. I told Him that I had been trying to work and earn favor and blessing. I finally said, “I surrender and submit my life to Your Lordship Jesus! I do not want to hold onto my life anymore, I want you to have it”. I asked for forgiveness, then asked Him to help me have a deep relationship with Him. And He answered my prayers! God gave me a hunger to know Him and His character like never before! I was overwhelmed with a desire to sit in His presence, dig into His Word, and radically obey Him. And it is sweet. Relationship with Jesus is so sweet, but even with that fresh desire for the Lord, I still struggled with the meaning of being His daughter. As recently as this spring, a friend asked if I could share on the topic of being God’s daughter on her podcast. I pushed back and literally cried (and ultimately got to talk about something else :)) because I did not feel confident to talk about this. Why? Why could I not rest in being His daughter? Why did I feel like I was not a good daughter? But God.
God is a Good Father, and He did not just leave me there in that struggle. It actually has never been about me being a good daughter. It was about believing that He is a Good Father like He says He is. He has been revealing the truth and beauty of Himself as a Good Father, and has been helping me to have a deeper understanding of being His daughter. Romans? ?8:14-17? ?says, “For those who are led by the Spirit of God are the children of God. 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, Father.” The Spirit himself testifies with our spirit that we are God’s children. “Now if we are children, then we are heirs—heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ, if indeed we share in his sufferings in order that we may also share in his glory.”
So fun fact: I was super-obsessed with Xena Warrior Princess when I was a kid. I actually do not remember a lot about Xena’s family history, but I do know the basics… she’s a warrior and she’s a princess. Her father is some kind of king (maybe, assuming), and she’s out there kicking butt and living life on mission (to make the world better maybe? I don’t exactly remember, but she was just super cool). But I get to live a life that is even better. I live in full assurance that I am the daughter of the Living King, His warrior-princess, so to speak. I get to live a life on mission every day, telling people about how awesome God is, and how His love for us is great and unimaginably deep. Advance the Gospel, see His Kingdom.
A few weeks ago, I was sitting outside eating breakfast at a picnic table in rural Georgia, on the beautiful campus of Adventures in Missions. I leaned back, inhaled deeply, and told my friend, “I don’t deserve this”. Here I was receiving incredible leadership training, preparing to lead and minister to a group of young adults on fire for God, eating an amazing bacon, eggs, and waffles breakfast (breakfast is my absolute favorite), and sitting outside in glorious Creation. I was overwhelmed in the best way. My friend and co-leader Cortnie responded, “But Joelle, you are a daughter of the King”.
“And I feel like I am eating at the King’s table every day”. I was in awe.
God, my Heavenly Father has prepared a feast and a seat at the table for me. I have access to Him and His Kingdom since I am His daughter. In Luke 12:27-28 Jesus says, “Consider how the wild flowers grow. They do not labor or spin. Yet I tell you, not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today, and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, how much more will he clothe you—you of little faith!” Verse 31-32 continues with saying, “But seek his kingdom, and these things will be given to you as well. Do not be afraid, little flock, for your Father has been pleased to give you the kingdom.”
I could not possibly work to begin to earn anything. The King takes care of all of my needs, and much more! He is pleased to give me the Kingdom. It is already my inheritance to receive. Praise God my Heavenly Father!
