What follows is Part Two in a series. You can read part one here.
My church Life Group meets on Wednesday nights. The Wednesday following the 5k turned out to be a very significant night. Bruce, our leader, asked us to meditate, for a moment, on God’s love for us. I was overwhelmed in that moment and can only describe what happened as a revelation. God gave me “sight” where I had been “blind.” I began to see and understand that there were some things I had believed about myself for most of my life that were, in fact, lies.
That night, we also read Ephesians 3:20-21. Bruce commented that we often look at these verses and focus on what God can do for us. When we do this, we miss the weightiness of the verses. God led me to look up the Amplified version on my phone and, in that moment, he amplified my understanding that it is ALL about God working out HIS purposes for HIS glory.
“Now to Him Who, by (in consequence of) the [action of His] power that is at work within us, is able to [carry out His purpose and] do superabundantly, far over and above all that we [dare] ask or think [infinitely beyond our highest prayers, desires, thoughts, hopes, or dreams]—To Him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations forever and ever. Amen (so be it)”. -Ephesians 3:20-21
God, in His wisdom, knew that I needed a physical experience of overcoming in order to fully grasp what He as beginning to do. He knew that I needed to see and understand that He has always been working to carry out His purposes and I can trust that. I can trust Him and I can trust the new vision He has given me of Truth.
A very wise friend encouraged me in the week following this, to write down all that God was doing. What follows is a list I created of all the lies I believed followed by the TRUTH I now believe, more each day.
Lies I believed
- I am insignificant because I am not married, raising a family or have a successful career
- I am a failure because I am not successful, because I struggle with my weight, depression and anxiety
- I have to do better or be a better Christian in order to be used by God
- I will always be alone
- If I make a wrong decision, I am a failure
- I am stupid and useless
THE TRUTH
- I am a daughter of the Liberating King, the Creator of the Universe and I am LOVED. “But to all who believed him and accepted him, he gave the right to become children of God.” -John 1:12
- Though there are consequences for bad decisions, making them does NOT make me a failure or any less loved.
“There is no condemnation for those who belong to Christ”. -Romans 8:1
God can redeem my mistakes - I did NOTHING to earn His love and grace and there is nothing I can do that will cause him to withdraw His love and grace.
“For it is by free grace (God’s unmerited favor) that you are saved (delivered from judgment and made partakers of Christ’s salvation) through [your] faith. And this [salvation] is not of yourselves [of your own doing, it came not through your own striving], but it is the gift of God;” -Ephesians 2:8 - Romans 8:37 says I am more than a conqueror through Him who loves me
- I can live into HIS freedom when I give Him permission to work in my life.
“So Christ has truly set us free. Now make sure that you stay free, and don’t get tied up again in slavery to the law.”-Galatians 5:1
Are you tired? Worn out? Burned out on religion? Come to me. Get away with me and you’ll recover your life. I’ll show you how to take a real rest. Walk with me and work with me—watch how I do it. Learn the unforced rhythms of grace. I won’t lay anything heavy or ill-fitting on you. Keep company with me and you’ll learn to live freely and lightly.” – Matthew 11:28-30 - I am not alone. God is always with me. My dad, my brother, my Life Group and my friends love and support me
“And be sure of this: I am with you always, even to the end of the age.”-Matthew 28:20b - I do not have to be afraid.
“Even when I walk through the darkest valley, I will not be afraid, for you are close beside me” -Psalm 23:4
This was a very significant week in my life. As I write, I am still in awe of God and what He did, and I am in awe of the fact that He was still only beginning this new journey. The following week, He had another Divine Appointment.