That is a question that we all ask ourselves at one time or another. When I was growing up, my view of myself was based on the few close family members and friends that I had face-to-face contact with on a daily basis.
Today, people, especially our kids, are basing their self-worth and their view of themselves on what thousands of strangers from all over the world think about them on Instagram, Facebook, SnapChat or any of the other millions of ways to communicate online. That is sad.
Looking back, if I would have asked myself this question for the first 16 years of my life, I would have said, “I am an athlete.”
I grew up in an athletic family and as typical for a boy in the ’60s and ’70s I played football in the fall, basketball in the winter and baseball in the summer. Up until that point, sports defined me, and when I wasn’t playing a game or practicing I was riding my bike around town, hanging out at Baker Boys Club, swimming at the lake or building a fort somewhere. My biggest stressful decision on any given day was, “Do I play whiffle ball? Or do I build a go-kart with my friends?” Life was pretty simple, totally opposite of what our kids are facing today.
Then something happened during my 16th year. I met a girl that was a Christian. Until then I didn’t know anything about God or Jesus, the Holy Spirit or the Bible. I think my family believed there was a God, but we never talked about it or went to church (except for a couple of times with my sister). This girl became my first girlfriend and she shared with me God’s plan of salvation and I accepted Christ, not only as my savior, but as Lord of my life.
My self-view totally changed. From that point on I was not defined by who the world said I was, but who God said I was.
I was reminded of this in a recent devotional at Lakeland Christian Academy led by Pastor Jay Bell. He shared an excerpt from Neil T. Anderson’s book “The Bondage Breaker.” It listed three areas where God tells us exactly who we are.
I don’t have room to share all of them with you in this article (I may share the rest in future Cougar Pause articles), but following are some Bible verses that address the lie the world tries to tell us that we are rejected, unloved or shameful.
In Christ, I Am Accepted
I am God’s child – John 1:12 – “Yet to all who did receive him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God.”
I am a friend of Jesus Christ – John 15:15 – “I no longer call you servants, because a servant does not know his master’s business. Instead, I have called you friends, for everything that I learned from my Father I have made known to you.”
I have been justified and accepted by God – Romans 5:1 – “Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.”
I am united with the Lord, and I am one with him in spirit – 1 Corinthians 6:17 – “But whoever is united with the Lord is one with him in spirit.”
I have been bought with a price, and I belong to God – 1 Corinthians 6:19-20 – “Do you not know that your bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; 20 you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your bodies.”
I am a member of Christ’s body – 1 Corinthians 12:27 – “Now you are the body of Christ, and each one of you is a part of it.”
I have been redeemed and forgiven of all my sins – Colossians 1:13-14 – “For he has rescued us from the dominion of darkness and brought us into the kingdom of the Son he loves, 14 in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.”
I am complete in Christ – Colossians 2:9-10 – “For in Christ all the fullness of the Deity lives in bodily form, 10 and in Christ you have been brought to fullness. He is the head over every power and authority.”
I have direct access to the throne of grace through Jesus Christ – Hebrews 4:14-16 - “Therefore, since we have a great high priest who has ascended into heaven, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold firmly to the faith we profess. 15 For we do not have a high priest who is unable to empathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are – yet he did not sin. 16 Let us then approach God’s throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.”
Please pray with me that God will start a revival in Kosciusko County so that teens and adults alike can find their self-worth in Him, and not social media.
