I passed.
This one won't be long. But it will be direct, because I personally need to hear this very and concise, this-is-how-it-is, message.
There's a meme circulating Facebook for moms who are about to embark on Spring cleaning. If you're struggling if you should keep it, throw it, keep it, throw it.... what do you do?! They framed it like this: If that particular item had poop on it, would you keep it, or just throw it away. Some things I would absolutely spend the time cleaning off anything yucky, because I love that thing. Others? Mehhhhhh I didn't really need that thing.
I've been really hard on myself lately. I've missed a lot of church because of sickness, I've lost a lot of sleep, I've suffered sickness first hand, my body feels like it's repeatedly getting run over by some heavy vehicles.... and in my weakness I chose to listen to the lies. Knowing better, I said "ok, I'll hear you out" to the ONE person who wants me to fail more than anyone else on the planet. Dumb.
Well, here's the truth bomb I so desperately need to hear. Please, put your name where mine is when you read this.
Emily, stop. Stop thinking you're this lackluster piece of junk floating around under the bed that I've forgotten about. Stop thinking that you aren't absolutely necessary in My plans on earth. If I were cleaning my house, and I came across you, no matter what kind of mess was on you, I am going to clean you off. I will not only keep you, I will love you for all eternity.
God took one look at me, through all the mess and junk, and knew that I was His, and He was going to keep me no matter what.
Friend, if you are struggling because you're putting your worth in anything other than God, I'm sorry, but today, right now as a matter of fact, is the perfect time to put down your phone and talk to God. Get connected to the Word again. Make it a happen to pick up your Bible, a devotional, or SOMETHING that's going to get you spending time with Him, before you pick up your phone.
If you love God and are a follower of Jesus, you've passed the test, no matter what mess you're in, or what you've done. WE'RE NEW! Time to embrace this newness and forget about that old life! (I'm yelling this to myself right now)
- God decided in advance to adopt us into his own family by bringing us to himself through Jesus Christ. This is what he wanted to do, and it gave him great pleasure. Ephesians 1:5
- This means that anyone who belongs to Christ has become a new person. The old life is gone; a new life has begun! 2 Corinthians 5:17
- Some of you were once like that. But you were cleansed; you were made holy; you were made right with God by calling on the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God. 1 Corinthians 6:11 *read 6:9-10 for context*
YOU are the 1 He left the 99 for. No matter how dirty you find yourself, you have been washed you clean with the Blood of Jesus Christ. He is keeping you.