THANKFUL

Chatting with Jesus

Monday, August 14, 2023

Lord, how often do you hear statements like, “I’m worthless!” “I’m not good enough.” Or “I’m a failure and disappointment.” Christ followers should have no reason to state such nonsense. Sadly, though, we who follow Christ echo these statements from time to time. This detour down Guild Street does not make us bad people. It just shows we are human.

These kinds of statements lead us to ask ourselves what or with whom are we finding our identity? Who labels us as such? Do we label ourselves?

Lord, our natural man is hard-wired to seek significance. Someone said man is the only creature who would rather die than be insignificant. Being irrelevant crushes the spirit, ushering in despair and low self-worth. It’s little wonder that those who believe this earthly life is all there is lose hope, and tragically too often end their lives. Lord, this must break your heart.

Those seeking relevance in this fickle world need to constantly refuel their sense of significance. Standards for significance constantly change. Social norms of acceptable behaviors this week may be canceled next week. People’s desperation for acceptance, approval, and most importantly—love—often lead to relationships based on one’s performance. That’s no way to live.

For Christ followers, we must find our identity and significance in you. How can we find our significance in anything or anyone else after what you have done for us, Jesus? You never change. You can never be canceled.

“We [also] rejoice in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received reconciliation”—Romans 5:11 (NLT).

The significance of our salvation through Christ has reconciled us back to the Father. Christ has made us worthy, and acceptable in the eyes of God the Father. He sees us through his loving eyes as his dear children. And that is significant.

Lord, I identify with you. Amen, Jesus.