No apologies for stating who I think I am. It’s more than a thought. It’s reality. Others may not see or understand, but that’s not my problem.
To know Jesus is more important than anything else.
This guiding beacon makes me more who I am in light of His love than my own genetic makeup can ever encompass. My genetics are happen-stance… I had no say in what I entered this world as, but I have all the say in who I will become.
That’s who I am.
The only force that can stop me? Me.
I’ve studied this and realized I’m my own worst enemy – my biggest help and hindrance. How I move through life is often based on my choices and not the vagary of someone else machinations.
Essentially? I’m in charge of my own choices. There may be forces moving me one way or another, but I’ve learned not to always go with the flow. There is an internal debate in me about whether to keep my path walking Christ’s Road or go a different way. Thus far, and prayerfully, at every step, I follow Christ.
The Apostle Paul says it like this:
“Who shall separate us from the love of Christ?
Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword?
As it is written: “FOR YOUR SAKE WE ARE KILLED ALL DAY LONG; WE ARE ACCOUNTED AS SHEEP FOR THE SLAUGHTER.”
Yet in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us.
For I am persuaded that neither death nor life, nor angels nor principalities nor powers, nor things present nor things to come, nor height nor depth, nor any other created thing, shall be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.”
(Romans 8:35-39, NKJV)
When Paul enumerates those things that can separate us from Christ, the one thing he doesn’t mention is “me.” Through Christ, I can stand up and face the world, but I wrestle more with “me” than anything else.
Imagine someone vacillating. Every decision, as that cartoon from old, “Which way do I go? Which way do I go?” But when you know who you are following, and you have His Spirit and Word with you, then the biggest fight you have is with yourself.
This is my foundation. My starting point. My fulcrum for all my actions.
I must tell myself, “When self gets in the way, ensure you are lined up to your foundation.”
I’ve been called all kinds of names and poked fun at. Others have attempted to humiliate me. I’ve lost friends and loved ones because they don’t like who I am. There have even been a few jobs I’ve walked away from because the path of employment did not line up with Christ’s calling.
Someone even told me I smile too much. Go figure. Someone else poked fun at my weight. Hmmm. I’ve even had off-color jokes shared about my last name.
I don’t care. That’s them. I’m me. Let it go. Live for Jesus.
That’s who I am.
