Scraps of Grace

Have you ever found yourself wondering who you’re truly are or why you’re here? The answer to that question can either really help you or really deceive you. Lots of the time, we look to the people around us to help us answer that question. 

Coming from someone who’s found themself in all different kinds of relationships- wonderful, challenging, and even destructive- who you spend time with plays a large role in your identity. If someone tells you you’re amazing, you’re going to act amazing. If someone tells you you’re awkward, chances are you’ll act awkward. If someone tells you you’re worthless, it can lead you to make some pretty worthless decisions. There’s a little bit of naivety to that, sure, but it’s also just humanity. Let’s be honest, in the world today, the words others tell us creates our identity. 

This can also sometimes be the actions others do towards us. Being left out is a prime example. You start to think “Oh. They didn’t invite me tonight. There must be something wrong with me to not get invited.” And you truly believe that.

This is especially prevalent in college. You don’t get into a certain sorority, well then you believe you’re not “good enough” to get into it. A certain boy doesn’t like you? Oh, must be “too ugly.” Or “not cool enough.”

But what if it’s really not a reflection of who you truly are at all? What if it’s based off of the others ability to see the amazing parts of you that exist. Like maybe your heart for the less fortunate. Or maybe your smarts. Or your ability to love so deeply.

Jesus- he sees those excellent parts of us and wants to accentuate them. In fact, he made us originally excellent.

He’s not looking at you thinking “man, I really wish she was like that other girl who achieved x,y,z” or “if only she was as skinny and blonde as that other girl” No. He looks at you and thinks look at the amazing gifts she has. Look how beautiful she is.

Often, we go into a situation where we try to mold ourselves to fit in. We try to read the room and shrink ourselves to exist better in it. When what if we approached new places letting who we already believe we are shape our interactions? Imagine what we could find?

Imagine the confidence, stability, and joy we could find if we went into places believing we were already loved, making decisions out of love and joy instead of brokenness and striving.

I definitely want to find out in my life, so I invite you on the journey with me. The journey of living loved.

Bible verse: Ephesians 2:10- For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.

Worship song: Priceless- For King & Country