so that in him we might become the righteousness of God…. (2 Cor 5:21).
Jesus presents me to His Father as pure and spotless. The sin that I struggle with does not define me in light of who I am in Christ.
Yes, I am His child, fully loved, fully forgiven and fully clothed in His righteousness. Wow, what a wonderful truth and someday, when I shall see Him face to face I shall be glorified and given a brand new body. A body that is free from the entrapments of the sinful nature. A body to eternally praise God and love my fellow man.
This day Jesus carries me to His Father, not as a wounded animal, dirty and broken, but as a beloved child. Yes, a child who has been washed clean by His love, whose heart bursts with the love and purity of her Father. Jesus carries me to His Father as if to say, “Lord, this one belongs to me, she is filled with my generosity, love, and grace. She is our beautiful creation.”
I’ll admit it, sometimes I feel like the problem child of God. Like maybe He looks at me and sees only my flaws, insecurities and fears and that I’m just a giant disappointment to Him.
Yet, He is a loving Father who sees His children and their potential through Christ. I think what saddens God more is not that we struggle against sin, but that we don’t see our value and worth in Christ. We don’t see and proclaim that we have been redeemed. Thus, leading us to sin more because we are not walking forwarding in our new identity.
If you ever feel like a disappointment to God and trust me, I do from time to time, be reminded that you are not a disappointment. You are God’s workmanship created in Christ Jesus to do good works which God has prepared in advance for you to do. You are a co-laborer with Christ. You have the mind of Christ. You are a child of God.
No parent who loves their child would ever continually shame, belittle or punish their child because they make mistakes. Every parent seeks to pull out the potential they see within their child. Know that your Heavenly Father is doing the same for you.
Lord, you see me and you love me. You want what’s best for me. You have good things in store for me. You hold me in your love. I am your child. May I allow you, Jesus, to hold me in your embrace. I fully receive your love and your grace for my life today, in Jesus name, Amen.
Heather Quiroz 