Without uncovering too much detail, I want to give you a small glimpse into something God engraved deeply on my heart recently.
I had a moment when I connected to my inner teenage girl. Not the sweet sixteen, fresh faced girl I fondly remember when I recall my teenage years. I’m talking about the drama-filled, insecure, girl who worries if people like her or not. The girl I want to forget and permanently suppress because it hurts to relive the way she sometimes felt about herself.
Not long ago, I experienced a brief encounter with someone and thought the conversation would have ended differently than it did. I walked away feeling defeated. And that is the moment the girl I used to know many years ago resurfaced.
After this encounter I made a statement the much younger girl would have made 25 years ago, “I guess I’m not in with the in crowd.” As quickly as I thought those words the following scripture came as a response and penetrated my heart.
For you died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God.
-Colossians 3:3 (NKJV)
You see, if I have truly died to myself- to this flesh, then I am in with the in crowd. My life is hidden with Christ in God.
With recognition of words spelled out in black and white on thin, worn pages of my Bible, my eyes fill with tears. This little life I have, this vapor of existence, means enough to Christ that He died for my sins long before I even began to live. When I accepted Him into my heart and life, He inhabited my soul and hid me safely with Him. It’s almost more than I can fathom.
And, He did the same for you!
The grace that continues to flow as freely as His blood which was shed on the cross tells me I have worth. It tells me you have worth. However, we only have worth because He is worthy.
And, today, there are some things I want to tell you…
– You have worth because Christ is worthy.
– You are beautiful because Christ is beautiful and you were created in His image.
– If you are kind, merciful, patient, or anything else that is good, it is because Christ is all things good and wonderful.
– You are loved because Christ is love.
Often, because of our insecurities, we have a tendency to look for our worth in what people think or say about us. We need compliments and a certain amount of adoration from others to help us determine what amount of value we have. We forget that our worth lies within Him. It’s His love that sets us free. Our identities are found in Him alone.
If you live for Christ, then your life is hidden with Him. And you are in with the in crowd: The trinity three in one, Father, Son, Holy Spirit.
You belong to Him, and you have worth because He is worthy! (Tweet that)
Remember you are loved!
Love,
Jennifer
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Jennifer,
What wonderful truth for all of us this morning!! We all have that inner girl that did not run with the “In crowd”. What a beautiful reminder that we are “in” with the crowd that matters – the Trinity of God!
Blessings,
Bev
I’m so glad you enjoyed the post, Bev. I believe, as women, this is something with which we all struggle. Thanks so much for reading!
Love the ’90’s hair! 🙂 I have never been with the “In” crowd…and a funny realization hit. There are more of us “outies” than “innies”! (Sounds like belly buttons!!) But I love your line about being in with the Trinity! I started a small facebook ministry of prayer warriors who I also suspect were never part of the in crowd as well, and yet God is moving and using us in a profound way! Just as he is using you and your experiences in a way to reach many women! Be blessed, Jen, as you continue your special ministry. And keep your current hairstyle!!!! 🙂
Thank you, Sharon! I’m praying for your Facebook ministry! Oh, and don’t worry, I’m never going back to that hairstyle!!! LOL
Thanks for this inspring blog whith great thoughts! I love this: “You belong to Him, and you have worth because He is worthy!” Thank you for it!
You are welcome, Rita! Thank you for reading. God bless you!
Such beautiful truth here…so much of it. Thank you for the reminders…I’m so thankful I can embrace who I am because of Him. Love this post, friend. Hugs and happy Tuesday to you! 🙂
It’s so interesting how intensely we yearn for something we already have. Thank you for this reminder!
Great reminder. This girl comes out of me MUCH more as an adult (and I’ve gained a lot of weight) than it did when I was a teen. Writing also brings her out. Thanks for the reminder. Definitely need that!