Accepting Who We Were Created to Be

So God created human beings in his own image.
    In the image of God he created them;
    male and female he created them. – Genesis 1:27

I grew up in an Evangelical tradition, one that I’m deeply grateful for. With many incredible mentors, I was shaped in a way that believed wholeheartedly in transformation, the grace and presence of God, and how to listen for His voice. What I have discovered, however, is that there is fundamental assumption that isn’t rooted in the Biblical story. That being that sin is my primary identity, and guilt and shame were one of the main ways that I related to God and to others.

But this isn’t how God looks at you and I and the world.

When I was 13 years old, my family travelled to California for our biggest family vacation – Disneyland, Universal, Knott’s Berry Farm, and Seaworld. It was an indulgent time of cotton candy, popcorn, rides, and so much more. There wasn’t a moment in that week that I didn’t feel the joy of life, and watching my mother take it all in like a child herself. The anticipation of years of saving finally being let loose in one grand adventure unlocked and instilled a wonder and mutual sense of love and acceptance that is still rooted deeply within me.

God holds that space for us. He invites us into it.

Humanity was not created into sin, it is something that we chose and fell into. Every human being bears the image of God. Yes, we are all fallen, but if you consider that subtle change in perspective, sharing our faith is not about convincing others that they are wrong, but about how God has and will stop at nothing to restore us back.

His love is so great, He came for us. He advocates for us. He adopts us as His children.

There is nothing that we can or need to do to experience His love, other than stop and be.

Weekly Practice: Stop and Be

Life is incredibly full, and if you’re anything like me the list of things to be done is never ending. We could roll out a bullet point list and it would just keep tumbling until the end was out of sight. I spend my days frantically checking off items, reflecting back on all that I accomplished in the last day while attempting to ignore what is still unfinished; or worse yet, what was added to the list that day.

This is hardly a recipe for a relationship with God or others. There is no rest in that formula, only an endless treadmill of stress and anxiety. To truly grow our souls to a deeper level, we need to reject the cultural list of expectations, and learn to listen to a God who loves us.

This week, set aside 15 minutes each day to be with God – no agenda.

You may want to read through a list of your identity in Christ. Pray through the Psalms. Intentionally get away from the routine of life and spend time in nature to listen to the wind, waves and God’s voice.

These are times to meditate on His infinite love for you. That He is pleased with who you are, and that you bear His image. Nothing else in creation carries that image other than humanity. Enter into that space with Him, and allow Him to speak the deep truths over you.