Who God Says I Am

Sometimes life is messy. Lately it's been just that, a lot of pleasures mixed with a lot of pain. Thoughts are muddled in multiple directions and from multiple sources and that's never fun. It's easy to lose one's self by fixating on the moment. It's so remarkably easy during these times to be blown off course for the simple reason of frustration. Yet we are each called to walk through difficult times and seasons as these times serve a great purpose.

Here is the thing that has been coming (more) clear to me: that in the midst of the whatever, I am still the Lord's. I am still in His hand. I still believe. And what is so wonderful is that no one can remove me from His hand. No one can snatch me out of it or call me anything less. I believe that I am His and He is mine and all I can say in response to that truth is, "Thank you." I'm beginning to see that the only way to survive the storm is to be grateful for it and to remember Who is ultimately in charge. (And shall I only accept good from Him, but not evil? Job 2:10)

Our pastor preached an incredible sermon on Easter Sunday from 2 Corinthians 4, with a focus on vs. 16-18.

So we do not lose heart. Though our outer self is wasting away, our inner self his being renewed day by day. For this light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison, as we look not to the things that are seen but to the things that are unseen. For the things that are seen are transient, but the things that are unseen are eternal.

Whatever afflictions we might face in this life, we need always to remember that they are light and very momentary. They are designed to prepare us for the weight of glory which we will experience one day. So, for now, in the midst of the pain and the sorrow, we must look to truths which are unseen instead of just looking around at what can be immediately viewed with our pitiful, tear-filled human eyes. What can be seen shall pass away. What can't be seen is eternal and of great comfort.

We can remind ourselves that we are the Lord's and the future is quite magnificently bright.

So I do not lose heart but instead learn to be thankful.

As happens quite frequently, there is usually a Steven Curtis Chapman song which foots the bill for whatever the emotion I'm working through. Today it's this one from his new album and the song is entitled, "Who You Say We Are." There is always a lot of confusion in life but it boils down to the words in this song.

I am who He says I am -- His!