I have never been a big fan of making a "New Years resolution." And what I mean by that is I always think of some, but keep them to myself so as to not be held accountable to them...I know...I'll spare you the rest of my pathetic excuses....Anyways, a dear friend of mine used to say this Abraham Lincoln quote quite often and it always, even if for just a moment, stopped me in my tracks:
(side note - If I could go back in history and meet someone, it would definitely be Abraham Lincoln; he left behind some powerful words and ideas)
"Whatever you are, be a good one."
Sweet and simple. What am I? OK not so simple when you get down to it. Perhaps it's simply answered if we're talking about what I do on a daily basis--my job title--but what about the things that make up who I am no matter where I am or what "job" I have?
What am I?
I am a lover and follower of Christ. I am a daughter, granddaughter, sister, cousin, niece and soon-to-be aunt. I am a traveler. I am a visitor in a foreign land. I am destined for eternity with the King of Kings. I am a dancer, follower and leader. I am a student and teacher. I am the person who organizes every item in her grocery cart. I am clearly a daughter of Eve as I am in constant struggle to forsake the prideful desires of my heart. I am a sinner but I am free. I am a selfish planner of a life that was already planned out for me. I am a listener and a talker. I am a reader and dreamer. I am a child.
Very well. But truth is, I am only because the one and only "I AM" loved me enough to send His one and only Son to a fallen and dark world, to be born in a lowly manger as the child of an unmarried virgin and carpenter. He sent his one and only Son to be crucified on a cross FOR us. But the story doesn't end there: as God promised, He resurrected His Son to sit at the right-hand of the throne of God as the propitiation for our sins. He bridges the gap between a perfect God and sinful man. His faithful promise makes me a co-heir with Christ; an adopted daughter of the Creator of the galaxies. Christ came so that we might be FREE in Him.
So really none of "what I am" matters unless I AM A CHILD OF GOD.
HE is worth all of my time, energy and money. HE is worth pursuing. I resolve to treat every day as if it were the day Christ comes to finally bring me home.
"Therefore, brothers, we have an obligation...if you live according to the sinful nature, you will die; but if by the Spirit you put to death the misdeeds of the body, you will live, because those who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God. For you did not receive a spirit that makes you a slave again to fear, but you received the Spirit of sonship. And by him we cry, 'Abba, Father.' The Spirit himself testifies with our spirit that we are God's children. Now if we are children, then we are heirs--heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ, if indeed we share in his sufferings in order that we may also share in his glory.
"What, then, shall we say in response to this? If God is for us, who can be against us? He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all--how will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things?...Christ Jesus, who died--more than that, who was raised to life--is at the right hand of God and is also interceding for us. Who shall separate us from the love of Christ?...I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord."
Romans 8:12-17; 31-39
