Be Who You Are

“Be who you are.”  That’s an interesting phrase, isn’t it?  Claimed by many, lived by few.  Doubly used as both an encouragement to grow into Christ, and also (at least for me) a crutch to stay where I am when to change or grow seems too hard.  In the latter scenario, “Be who you are” becomes the mantra for acceptance. 
 
For example, “I’m always gonna be ___,” because even though it makes me feel like crap and is basically ruining my life, I have to learn to accept it.    Healthy acceptance is a GOOD thing.  It’s just I’ve found in my own life if something is hurting me spiritually, physically or emotionally – or basically is accompanied by a bunch of negative emotions – guess what? I don’t have to accept that crap!  That would be a lie from the enemy.
 
“What enemy?” some of you may ask.  That’s right I just went old-school.  In case you haven’t thought about it lately, he’s usually the voice in our head that tells us exactly what we want to hear – especially if that choice is for our own demise.   Yet he likes to disguise himself as an “angel of light[1],”….I think that’s because he knows he sucks and is on the losing team, but that’s just my theory.   The factual truth about him is he is:

• the father of all lies, incapable of truth[2]
• seeking to steal, kill, and destroy you and your loved ones[3]
• prowls like a looking for someone to devour[4]

 
Today as I was loathing myself for waking up and jumping straight into business instead of hanging out with the Lord and reclaiming my 20 year-old-self-body I found myself thinking, “I need a tattoo.”  Something that I could literally print up and down both arms, so I’d never forget what it is I’m supposed to be doing. 

(I used to want on my left forearm:  Not my will.  And on my right forearm: Thine be done.  Turns out they don’t have metallic gold permanent ink! …which is probably best considering I have commitment issues. : )  I appreciate the idea of tatoos …. I’d just need a new one each week!). 
 
As I pondered what “life words” it’d take to actually set me right this time, my mind filled with “Be who you are!”  I literally laughed out loud (LLOL) because that’s the exact same phrase I’d used, (to use some Beth Moore terminology), to say in my pit!  (“Well…that’s just who I am.” [Head down. Eeyore voice.  Insert pathetic whiny sad face emoji].   
 
So in honor of being who we are in a GOOD way – it did me some good to review a few truths today.
 

1. I am going to be okay – no – I’m going to KILL it.  Romans 8:37 – No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us.
2. I am loved, not in a “when I get it right” kind of way, but right now, today, in a just-as-I-am-loved kind of way.  Romans 5:8 – but God shows his love for us in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.  // John 15:13 – Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.
3. I have friends, TRUE friends, starting with Jesus.  John 15:15 – I no longer call you servants, because a servant does not know his master’s business. Instead, I have called you friends, for everything that I learned from my Father I have made known to you. 
4. I am smart; I can always know what I need to know.  Jeremiah 33:3 – Call to me and I will answer you and tell you great and unsearchable things you do not know.
5. It’s all good.  Jeremiah 29:11 – “For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you a hope and a future.”  // Psalm 84:11 – For the LORD God is a sun and shield; the LORD bestows favor and honor; no good thing does he withhold from those whose walk is blameless.
6. I am blameless.  The righteous of God.   (I figured this one needed a little more proof. haha)  2 Cor 5:21 – God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God. // Romans 4:3  What does the Scripture say? “Abraham believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness. // Romans 3:22  Even the righteousness of God which is by faith in Jesus Christ unto all and upon all that believe: for there is no difference. // I John 4:17 This is how love is made complete among us so that we will have confidence on the day of judgment: In this world we are like Jesus.
7. I am exceedingly blessed, and He WANTS me to receive it (afterall, if Jesus died to give it to me, who am I to cheapen it?)  Luke 12:32 – “Do not be afraid, little flock, for your Father has been pleased to give you the kingdom.”  // Psalm 34:10 Even strong young lions sometimes go hungry, but those who trust in the LORD will lack no good thing.// Ephesians 3:20 – Now to him who is able to do immeasureably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us. 

Yeah, He’s pretty good.  I don’t know if this excites anyone else, but I LOVE that He’s not just good in theory or on paper; He’s good towards ME. That’s huge!  Zephaniah 3:17 even says, He doesn’t just like us, but He rejoices over us with singing!  How cool is that?! 
 
He hurts when we hurt (Zech 2:8), and loves us like crazy.  Yet I figure, if He can be laughing and singing today, so should I.  I'm praying this over all of us today:
 
Job 8:21  He will fill your mouth with laughter and your lips with shouts of joy!