I was driving by myself yesterday when a song came on that I love. I listen to it before I speak. It’s part of my “pre-game” ritual. When I remember who I am in God and how much He loves me, it’s easier to stand on a stage and help others remember.
When I lose my way,
And I forget my name
Remind me who I am
In the mirror all I see
Is who I don’t wanna be
Remind me who I am
In the loneliest places
When I can’t remember what grace is
Tell me, once again
Who I am to You, who I am to You.
It’s called “Remind Me Who I Am” by Jason Gray. Here’s a link in case you want to watch the video. It’s a pretty awesome way to spend 4 minutes.
I wasn’t on my way to a speaking event, but I was definitely in need of some reminding — both of how God sees me and in His ability to work through me.
This beautiful season of gratitude and bounty can make us weary. It can leave us feeling so tapped out from planning and prepping that we can end up in a depressed fog, with no energy to lift ourselves up, much less anyone else.
I get to that state and then I begin to ponder big questions that really shouldn’t be pondered on an emotionally empty stomach: Does what I do matter? Do I matter?
Ever been there? If so, maybe you’re in need of some reminding too.
Nearly seven years ago, I sat in a friend’s living room for my very first bible study. We watched a DVD by Lysa TerKeurst called “Becoming More Than a Good Bible Study Girl.”
I wasn’t exactly a good bible study girl, if you know what I mean. I wasn’t sure why I was there and I certainly didn’t believe God would reach out through Lysa’s words to speak to me — a wayward child. But he did.
Lysa said two things that changed my life. She said,
- You are a child of God.
- God has big plans for your life.
In a perfect world, being someone’s child means that you are loved immeasurably, more than you could ever understand. God is perfect, so imagine what the love He has for you looks like. It’s immense; all encompassing.
He loves us so much that before the world was even created, He thought of us. He planned out our lives. He knew we would mess up again and again and again, so He made plans to bring that all around for our good, too. And he gave each of us a purpose.
When I remember those two things, I am a child of God and God has big plans for my life, I feel refreshed. The pressure is lifted because I know that I’m enough. I don’t have to be anymore or do anymore because God is ultimately in charge of what gets done. I get to go along for the ride, knowing He’ll use me in exactly the right way at exactly the right time.
I don’t know if you need to be refreshed and reminded of who you truly are, but if so, I hope you’ll etch these words on your heart this week: I am a child of God.
“For you are all children of God through faith in Christ Jesus.” Galatians 3:26 (NLT)