Do You KNOW??

Do you KNOW who you are? Do you KNOW whose you are?? 

I mean really know it, deep down, in your heart.

It is one thing to know who my mom is and who my dad is; but to know that I am Mary Beth, I am a wife, I am a mother, I am a Nana. (Not what I do- but WHO I AM.)

But the question goes deeper than my parents, and this earthly life and identity. 

This is a path that I have been studying and following for quite a few years, now; and it is time for another look at it.

The path started when I was struggling with who I thought I was and has moved to a better, more solid knowledge of that which has brought me to a place where I am less bothered with what others may say or think about me. But it is a journey, and I am still, occasionally, knocked off balance. 

I don't know about you, but often I need to hear things over and over and over again for me to remember them.

I have had a couple of months of struggling again- not that I didn't know I am loved, and that I am His daughter, but other thoughts were causing shadows, and some doubt was creeping into my thoughts. Plus, I had allowed other things to become my focus, for too long. 

Then a couple of nights, last week, I wasn't sleeping well; but as I would wake up to the same song and pretty much the same lines of that song. The first day I woke up to it, I took metal note, and played it a few times to listed to the words. That evening, I received an email that was sent to be encouraging, and the message was along the same theme. The very next morning, I woke up to the exact same song- same basic part of the song, so I knew there was something that I needed to hear - even if it is something I've heard, I needed it afresh.

The song I was hearing is Adoption Song. It is on Brandon Lake's album Coat of Many Colors. 

The part I was hearing says this:

"I renounce the lie that I don't measure up

I renounce the lie I'm unworthy of Your love

And when shame comes knocking and fear starts talking

I will lift my hands

In Your presence, You remind me who I am

I am adopted

I am beloved

It's my inheritance

I'm a child of God

So when the liar

Starts mouthing off

I'll sing in confidence

My adoption song"

The first lines (in bold) remind me that sometimes I need to speak to myself, and I need to speak to the enemy to "renounce" the lies, and those attempts to take my focus from the Lord. 

The first Biblical example that I thought of with this, is David, in the book of Psalms 42. In verses 9 and 10 he is struggling and verse 11, it is like he is shaking himself. Here is the passage.

Psalm 42: 9-11 - "I will say to God my Rock, "Why have You forgotten me? Why do I go mourning because of the oppression of the enemy?" As with a breaking of my bones, my enemies reproach me, while they say to me all day long, "Where is Your God?" Why are you cast down, O my soul? And why are you disquieted within me? Hope in God; for I shall yet praise Him, the help of my countenance and my God." (NKJV)

The last verse in the Passion Translation says it this way, "So I say to my soul, "Don't be discouraged. Don't be discouraged. Don't be disturbed. For I know my God will breakthrough for me." Then I'll have plenty of reasons to praise him all over again. Yes, he is my saving grace!"

But then the Message translation says it like this, "Why are you down in the dumps, dear soul? Why are you crying the blues? Fix my eyes on God - soon I'll be praising again. He puts a smile on my face. He's my God." 

Proverbs 4:23 tells me this: "Keep your heart with all diligence, for out of it spring the issues of life." (NKJV)

The Message says it this way, "Keep vigilant watch over your heart; that's where life starts."

When I notice the thoughts that do not line up with what God says about me, do I let them take root? 

Do I renounce them? 

Do I speak to myself, to encourage myself, and remind myself what God says about me?

Do I know what He says about me? 

Ephesians 2: 10 says, "For we are God's masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago." (NLT)

Psalm 139: 13-14 "You formed my innermost being, shaping my delicate inside and my intricate outside, and wove them all together in my mother's womb. I thank you, God, for making me so mysteriously complex! Everything you do is marvelously breathtaking. It simply amazes me to think about it! How thoroughly you know me, Lord!" (TPT) 

In the NKJV- "For you formed my inward parts: You covered me in my mother's womb. I will praise You, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made; marvelous are Your works, and that my should knows very well."

Ephesians 1: 4 "Even before he made the world, God loves us and chose us in Christ to be holy and without fault in his eyes." (NLT)

I am loved, by the One who laid down His life for me. I am the daughter of the King of kings! 

He chose me before the foundation of the world to be holy and blameless. (Ephesians 1:4)

Knowing who I am, and whose I am, brings a solid foundation and a surety into all I do. 

Have you ever watched a show, or movie, where someone has amnesia? That person doesn't know who they are, what they like or don't like, what their normal day is like... they can't remember. 

That person walks and talks so much more timidly, and almost fearfully.

But, in walking out each day knowing that I am loved. I am chosen. I was created on purpose with a purpose. All of these and so much more that God says about me. 

Each fact solidifies in my heart that I am known, I am loved, I am not just here to live and eventually die.

Yes, I am human, and I have made mistakes. 

I am human, and I have sinned.

BUT GOD in His love knew that I would. He knew that I would need a Savior and He provided that for me!  Thank you, Jesus!

He did that for me, but He did it for each person, as if we were the only person. His love is so deep for me (and you)! 

He created me with a purpose. Is that purpose to DO something. Well, yes and no. 

Revelation 4: 11 says, "Thou art worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honor and power: for thou hast created all things, and for thy pleasure they are and were created."

He created us FOR HIS PLEASURE.

He knows all that he put in me, both biologically and characteristically. He knows the talents He's given me, and the experiences I've had that have helped make me what/who I am right now, as I write this.

He has a plan for me, and He has seen what I need, when I'll need it before it ever is a need; and He is working everything for my good. (Romans 8: 28 "So we are convinced that every detail of our lives is continually woven together for good, for we are His lovers who have been called to fulfill His designed purpose.(TPT)")

That says EVERY DETAIL. I know it may not seem like some details will work for good; but God is able to take even what looks terrible to us and turn it around. He is Almighty God. There is nothing impossible for him. (Luke 1: 37 - "For with God nothing will be impossible."-NKJV)

I feel like I am at that awkward young person stage- where I know what I can do, and I know what I should do, but I still am unsure that I am prepared to do it, so God is reminding me of it.

(Pic from "Freepik)

YES- I am loved!

YES- I am chosen!

YES- I am called!

YES- I am His daughter! 

YES- I will make a difference, it may not be nationwide, it may not be city wide, but it will impact those it is meant to impact.

YES- I have a purpose!

YES- I measure up to His design for my life!

YES- I am worthy of Your love!

Father, I thank you for your love for me! I ask for your forgiveness for allowing things to take my focus off of you and what you have for me to do. Help me to walk in the knowledge of who You are and who You called me to be- with the confidence in Your love and the calling and purpose You have for my life. Help me to impact others for You and for Your kingdom, Lord. Help me to remember who I am, and to remember whose I am, too. Thank you!