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There’s a contemporary Christian song I like that says, “I am who You say I am”. The chorus quotes the words of Scripture:
“Who the Son sets free is free indeed; I’m a child of God, Yes, I am. In my Father’s house, there’s a place for me. I’m a child of God, Yes, I am!”
I love the words of this song because it reminds us to see ourselves the way God sees us, through the finished work of Christ - as beloved children of the Almighty, in right standing with Godself. This is a stark contrast from the lens of judgment, self-criticism and condemnation that many of us adopt along life’s journey.
That critical voice that comes from within or without can be destructive if not properly handled. One of the life-lessons that it’s important for us to learn is to not take everything personally. Easier said, than done; I know. But, less than ideal reactions or criticisms from others can oftentimes be an expression of their own self-image and view of the world, with its associating estimations and beliefs, and less about you as a human being.
For example, I learned at an early age, from two great parents, that hurtful name-calling was not a nice thing to do. They taught me that even more significant than a jeer or insult, was the actual name or message that I reacted to or responded to, which could in some way be connected to my own self-image. In a practical sense, if someone calls you “bald-head Henry”, but your name is John and you have a headful of hair, then whatever label they hurled at you is completely insignificant. Why? Your identity is not rooted in the label that they were attempting to use to describe you.
Likewise, it’s important for us to develop the concept of our spiritual identity within ourselves so that we become more conscious of who God says we are, as opposed to any other negative voice from within or without. The elders of my family used to say, “It’s not what people call you, but it’s what you answer to that’s more important”.
On a personal note, although I stuttered as a kid, and still do sometimes today, it never became an all-defining obstruction on my pathway. As a childhood actor and singer, my dad would notice my comfortability in those roles and he’d jokingly say, “Jason, somehow you never seem to stutter when you’re singing or acting!” Perhaps, I felt most comfortable and self-actualized in those moments, and therefore, at those times, didn’t have subconscious walls up regarding effective communication or others’ opinions.
Now, in your own life, in what ways do you feel held back because of an overly-heightened, unhealthy sensitivity of public perception? How does that cause you to hesitate in ways you might not, if you were more focused on the task at hand and expressing the fullness of God’s divine design through you?
Keep life-giving, faith-filled, loving words in the center of your heart! It’ll reproduce in your own mind and heart who God says you are. And that will cause you to show up in the world in a more fulfilled, love-centered way.
Say over yourself today:
“Who the Son sets free, is free indeed! I am who God says I am.”
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~Jason
Rev. Jason Powell, M. Div.