The rain was falling outside and it was the end of the week.
Today would be a comfortable day. I dressed in my boot cut jeans and university
hoody. Being a bit adventurous this particular morning, I decided to scope out
a coffee shop that I had heard particularly good things about. As I looked at
this coffee shop on the internet I realized that it was an exceptionally cool
place; exposed brick, coffee roasting, and art on the walls. I quickly started
to feel self conscious about my outfit. I actually contemplated not perusing
the endeavor because of what I was wearing, but the adventurous juices inside
of me were too strong. As I walked through the door of the local roasters, I
instantly felt out of place and wanted to prove that I belonged there. I saw
skinny jeans and flannel shirts. I wanted to yell out, "this is just my
comfy wear, you should see my closet... I promise I belong here!" I
frantically began to search for something’s that would speak to the other
people in the small coffee house that I belonged, and my nose ring became my
saving grace.
It would be easy in this instance to think that the people hanging out in the coffee shop were the reasons for my insecurity, but it really had nothing to do with them. The problem was that I found my identity in the way that I presented myself and what I wore. Just like all of my brothers and sisters, I have a huge innate desire to belong, and I believed that I belonged there, but I had to prove it. The skinny jeans, flannel shirts, and nose rings are all things that I not only love and consider part of my style, but are not bad in themselves. The issue was that those things had become the reason that I was worth getting to know. The way that I presented myself became my qualification for belonging. I became my owe judge, and the outcome did not look good. I could feel my demeanor change. I started to rein myself in and tried not to bring attention to myself. I was the sore thumb, and elephant in the room.
It would be easy in this instance to think that the people hanging out in the coffee shop were the reasons for my insecurity, but it really had nothing to do with them. The problem was that I found my identity in the way that I presented myself and what I wore. Just like all of my brothers and sisters, I have a huge innate desire to belong, and I believed that I belonged there, but I had to prove it. The skinny jeans, flannel shirts, and nose rings are all things that I not only love and consider part of my style, but are not bad in themselves. The issue was that those things had become the reason that I was worth getting to know. The way that I presented myself became my qualification for belonging. I became my owe judge, and the outcome did not look good. I could feel my demeanor change. I started to rein myself in and tried not to bring attention to myself. I was the sore thumb, and elephant in the room.
When we disqualify ourselves of the things that we were
created for, we become illegitimate child and begin to shut down. We are no
longer able to completely be ourselves because who we are is not good enough. We
rein ourselves in because not only do we believe the lie of our own
illegitimacy, but we also believe that everyone else does too.
But there is good news folks! Jesus looks at us and says,
"you are incredible." He not only sees our deepest desires, but also
our funny affections for ironic outfits. He loves it when we laugh about double
rainbows across the sky, parody music videos, and camels on hump day. When we
find belonging as a legitimate child of God, we become free to be ourselves.
The problem is not that we are illegitimate; it's that we believe that we are
illegitimate.
And this is the age old problem. Ever since the beginning of time, satan has lied to us about who we are; it's the only power he has on us. In Genesis when he told Eve that she would be like God if she ate the apple, he was implying that she was not already like God; made in His image, the Imago Dei (Genesis 1:26-27, 2:15-17, 3:1-7). While there was some truth to the things that satan said, he twisted God's words so that both Eve and Adam would believe that they were illegitimate children. We also see satan doing this with Jesus in the desert. All three things that satan challenged Jesus about already belonged to Jesus (Matthew 4:1-11). He kept challenging Jesus with, "if you are the Son of God, then..." Satan was challenging the legitimacy of Jesus' sonship. But because Jesus was/is sure of His belonging (as Son of God/God), He was able to not only combat the enemies lies, but also be completely free in Himself and the fullness of Himself.
Therefore, legitimate child of God, allow yourself to shine and to be the fullness of yourself. You are cool, funny, and fun to be around! Be confident that the things that you do, the clothing that you wear, and the songs that you sing do not define you or qualify you for belonging. Your desires, thoughts, and understandings of God are important. Brothers and sisters, we need you! Be completely yourself, because you are human... The Imago Dei.
And this is the age old problem. Ever since the beginning of time, satan has lied to us about who we are; it's the only power he has on us. In Genesis when he told Eve that she would be like God if she ate the apple, he was implying that she was not already like God; made in His image, the Imago Dei (Genesis 1:26-27, 2:15-17, 3:1-7). While there was some truth to the things that satan said, he twisted God's words so that both Eve and Adam would believe that they were illegitimate children. We also see satan doing this with Jesus in the desert. All three things that satan challenged Jesus about already belonged to Jesus (Matthew 4:1-11). He kept challenging Jesus with, "if you are the Son of God, then..." Satan was challenging the legitimacy of Jesus' sonship. But because Jesus was/is sure of His belonging (as Son of God/God), He was able to not only combat the enemies lies, but also be completely free in Himself and the fullness of Himself.
Therefore, legitimate child of God, allow yourself to shine and to be the fullness of yourself. You are cool, funny, and fun to be around! Be confident that the things that you do, the clothing that you wear, and the songs that you sing do not define you or qualify you for belonging. Your desires, thoughts, and understandings of God are important. Brothers and sisters, we need you! Be completely yourself, because you are human... The Imago Dei.
