Don't you love this quote?
"If you feel you are inadequate, worthless or not enough, you didn't get those ideas from God." - Lisa Bevere
In a world full of people making comparisons, we have a God who does not compared us. In fact, he relishes the uniqueness of our fingerprints and the shape of our ears. (Did you know that ears are pretty unique, too?) He finds each of us precious and valuable, even before we offer him our lives as raw material to by led and shaped by his hand.
Some days, I get irritated at myself for the silly things I let get my goat and steal my joy. My God is without rival and his rich love is enough. He is enough. In him, we have no need to compare ourselves to anyone else. In fact, I am pretty sure it disappoints him when we do.
In Genesis, Eve and Adam willfully disobey and betray God's trust in the Garden. The scene was set for them to make a choice. And, they did. Satan worked on Eve first. We girls have to find that interesting. Adam did not lead her back to the path but joined her in intentional disobedience.
One of my favorite verses this past year has been:
“Who told you that you were naked?” the Lord God asked. “Have you eaten from the tree whose fruit I commanded you not to eat?” -Genesis 3:11
"Who told you that you were naked?" They knew it because of the knowledge gained in sin and about sin. Willful distrust... no matter who whispered in their ear it would be okay... was still sin. It is the first time "The Blame Game" is recorded, too.
Perhaps, even worse than the sinful acts of willful disobedience is their arrogance.
Love the Lord, all you godly ones! For the Lord protects those who are loyal to him, but he harshly punishes the arrogant. -Psalm 31:23
He doesn't want us to be arrogant, but it breaks his heart when we look in the mirror and don't see the same face He loves so much. In fact, he loved that face enough to die for it.
"Who told you were naked?" That feeling is the result sin and evidence that they did not fully trust in Him. They were the original "Naked and Afraid". Human... especially we girls... have been hiding behind our clothes ever since.
Ultimately, we can't hide from a God who knows all... and knows our hearts. In light of that knowledge, he still loves and adores us. Individually, yes. But, as a family, too.
I think it must sadden him when we compare ourselves to others. We miss so much when we ignore his leading out of fear of failure or what others might think. In fact, I imaging the fatherly face of God looking me straight in the eye saying:
"Who told you that you were naked?"
If He is for us and in us... we cannot fail. It might not look like we expected or dreamed... but it is good. He numbers the stars and calls them by name. We are so... much.... more... important and he does not abandon his children. Even disobedient, chicken ones like me.
We can kneel before him... forgiven,naked and unafraid. His blood was enough.
Today, I am grateful feelings of worthlessness and inadequacy are not from God.
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