“You were bought at a price, when you were born, before you decided to do the race, everyday since you left and even the days after you are finished. The Lord knew you before you were born, saw your entire life and said I. WANT. HER…”
These words were spoken over me this past week at our month nine debrief, and for someone who has struggled my entire life feeling like I was never enough. These words hit me going 100 mph. I had nothing to say, but just sat and tried to comprehend that I am enough, I always have been and I always will be.
Somedays I look in the mirror and all I see is a flawed being. Back home, my reaction would be to start a new work out plan, go shopping, or buy new makeup. There was a quick fix to an ugly feeling, but here thats not the case.
My confidence and identity was strengthened in Africa. There was no makeup or fancy clothes, most people were just trying to keep food on the table and a shelter for their families.
When we landed in Europe I quickly became small again, all of my insecurities came flooding out of me and I was in search of a quick fix. Europe was the closest thing to normal I had experienced in 7 months, and a harsh reality of what it would feel like stepping foot on American soil in November.
Since my time in Europe, I’m convinced it’s not about a quick fix, new makeup, clothes, but about rooting yourself in Christ. Because HE says I am beautiful, HE says I am valued, HE says I am enough. And it’s time my head knowledge turns to heart knowledge.
Do you know who you are?
This isn’t a blog to bring shame or conviction, but one to be reminded who Christ says you are. When we are reminded how our Father sees us, our vision begins to shift and we begin to love what we see in the mirror.
The root of my growth stems from a deeper relationship with Jesus. It’s one thing to know about Him, but to know Him personally is a whole different story.
It’s easy to read scripture that speaks “ truth” about who we are, but when we have that deeper connection, scripture becomes less about the words on the page and more about walking it out.
Guess what?
YOU ARE BEAUTIFUL, just as you are; the Bible says so…
You are altogether beautiful, my darling; there is no flaw in you. (Song of Songs 4:7)
The sooner we begin to trust the Lord in how He sees us, the less influence the world has on us.
She is clothed with strength and dignity; she can laugh at the days to come. (Prov. 31:25)
My family, squamates and mentors have described me as brave and strong multiple times this year. I didn’t start off the year that way. I have strength to keep on, solely because I rely on the Lord.
YOU ARE VALUABLE
It is hard to wrap my mind around acknowledging that someone died for me. He didn’t even know me, but loved me enough, through my sins and filth and He died for me. This year I have experienced freedom from my past.
Jesus chose you, just has He chose me. His word says so…
But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people, that you may proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light; (1 Peter 2:9)
YOU ARE ENOUGH
He bought you as you are and nothing you do can change that. If you continue to chase after the worlds definition of enough, you’ll spend your whole life trying to fill an empty space that only the Lord can fill.
She is worth far more than rubies. (Prov. 31:10)
You are not your own, for you were bought with a price. (1 Cor. 6:20)
To the girls reading this that don’t like what they see in the mirror, or the size of their pants, look more to Jesus and less to your reflection. You become who you surround yourself with, you become what you are told, you become what you read, see on tv or hear on the radio.
You were bought at a price, when you were born, before you decided to take that job or go to that school, you were bought everyday before, and everyday after.
Jesus looked at you, saw your entire life, and said I. WANT. YOU.
