“Perfectionism is the fear of rejection and abandonment in disguise. Freedom is the safety to be who you are because you are both, FULLY known, and FULLY loved at the same time. This is freedom in Christ”
-Aletheia: Truth in the Darkness
Over the years I have worked with many who were homeless and though I did not have material possessions to give them, except once and awhile I handed out what my wife and I called, “Homeless Packs” (zip lock baggies of socks and snacks). But what I could give them is what I did give. That being, in the name of Jesus Christ and through the power of the Holy Spirit, I gave prayer, a listening ear, and hope. THIS, being “seen and heard” was exactly what they needed. And so do you!
We are all born naturally insecure (being disconnected from our original identity, eventually noticing a “void” in ourselves) plus, living in a society like ours does not help that condition one bit! However, when an individual comes to the saving knowledge of Jesus Christ and commits themselves under His Lordship, that all changes….or at least it should. But why doesn’t it for many? The reason is the exact same reason to why it is so incredibly valuable to a homeless individual to hear that they are seen and heard.
If a “Christian” and that word means: Child of God (John 1:12), born from God (1 John 5:1), a new creation (2 Cor. 5:17), not of this world, having an eternal inheritance worth more than silver or gold, having within your being the Holy Spirit, who is the constant companion, Comforter, Counselor, Spirit of Truth, Advocate, who prays for you (John 15:26). You also have a perfect and good, gracious, giving, with a listening ear, Father. You have a Savior who has saved you from sin and death eternal, and who intercedes with the Father on your behalf, Who gave His life for you, Who loves you and is also your Lord, Who now sits enthroned at the right hand of God with all rulers, powers, angels and demons, under His authority. The One who upholds the universe by His Word! (There are plenty of verse references to all these titles, but I’ve only listed a few) And as your Lord He is in charge of your every single day life on earth. He “rules” your night and day. He has absolute and full authority and responsibility over your life. Did you hear me? According to the Word of God, as a Christian “You are not your own, for you were bought with a price…” (1 Cor 6:19b-20a) So who owns you, that’s right, owns your being, your welfare, your health, your security, your identity, your worth, your person, YOU! Being your Savior, Redeemer, and Lord, according to those words in their original terms, means you are 100% SAFE AND SECURE under His Lordship and rule over your life! He, Christ, has made your life of utmost value to Him, having given His for yours. And now…you BELONG to Him! Think about this word: You are His “RESPONSIBILITY“. I suggest you read Psalm 91, you will be blown away!!! The promises found there are for the true Child of God who knows their true identity. Some, just now, became angry with these words, while others could finally breathe that they are NOT their own! True. If you are a Christian, by definition, you should jump for joy that you do not control your coming and going. BUT…if you resist the blessing of the humility that comes with being called a child of God…and you want to do your own thing, and live your own way, and say, maybe, fit in with this world…THEN…there is a problem with your identity. The child of God (picture the story of the prodigal son returning home to his father, Luke 15:11-32). After returning home from his life of sin, which we all have now been freed from, he was welcomed home with open arms, and with many tears of joy, and a celebration, with sandals for his feet, a robe, the family ring, and was reinstated as the son of his father. All these items represented his “belonging“. He once was lost, but now was found and was “in his fathers house and was the beloved son of his dad”. Get it? He had no need to care for himself anymore. He had all his needs met. He had not a care in the world…because…he was IN his father’s house. You, child of God, are in your Father’s house!!! So, child of God, draw near, draw near to your Father, and joyfully submit to your Savior and Lord, and allow the Holy Spirit who is “Christ in you” (Col. 1:27) to fill and control your coming and going, your days and your nights. There is great blessing and privilege when the child of God truly connects with “who” they are, their identity and “walks” accordingly. When you, child of God have come to terms with “who you are, where you’re from, why you’re here, and where you are going”, in other words, your “IDENTITY” then, then, you will LIVE accordingly!
So then, child of God, remember this:
Aletheia: Truth in the Darkness 