Early in the Summer, we did a kid's summer program in the park. As community kids were passing by some joined us to hear a message that they may have never heard before; they are good. I told them that when God created us he saw that it was good. We are good because we can be like God. I reminded them that does not mean we can have any special powers but we can still be like him. Do we always act like him? No. Do we have sin that separates us from him? Yes. But when we show love, kindness, understanding, compassion we mirror the parts of God we can be like therefore making us good.
This world is going to tell you a lot of different stories of who you are. You will get labeled as your career, your mistakes, or even your biggest win. But who does God say you are?
Psalm 139:13-14 says, “For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother’s womb. I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well.”
David wrote that Psalm explaining that because God created us he fully knows us and who we are. He knows your deepest thoughts, fears, and dreams. This world does not know you so intimately so do not let it claim you as its own. The world can only tell you your worth based on what you do, while God bases your worth on who you are. So when we mess up, our confidence does not diminish and we win, our egos do not inflate. Our worth relies on God who luckily for us is made up of grace and mercy.
So Who Are You?
You are a creation made in the image of God who was made for a much higher purpose than this world wants you to believe. We are kingdom people, we need to know this world is not our home and does not set the standard; the word of God does. Jesus warns us in Matthew 24: 9-12 that this world will hate us and even some of his people will fall away from him.
Scripture says, “Then you will be arrested, persecuted, and killed. You will be hated all over the world because you are my followers. And many will turn away from me and betray and hate each other. And many false prophets will appear and will deceive many people. Sin will be rampant everywhere, and the love of many will grow cold.”
Some of you reading may want others to like you which isn’t necessarily harmful unless doing so consumes you and changes your godly beliefs in order to be liked. It can be hard to see clearly when the world is screaming one thing and God is calmly, peacefully guiding us in the other direction. When we realize we are meant to be with God then the hatred of the world loses its sting. When we believe in him we become claimed by the kingdom, and that is who you are.
Sources: Zondervan NIV Study Bible, NLT Bible