Matthew 3:17 And a voice from heaven said, “This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased.”
1 John 3:1 See what great love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are
Ephesians 5:1-2 (MSG) Watch what God does, and then you do it, like children who learn proper behavior from their parents. Mostly, what God does is love you. Keep company with him and learn a life of love. Observe how Christ loved us. His love was not cautious but extravagant. He didn't love in order to get something from us, but to give everything of himself to us. Love like that.
Matthew 11:28-29 Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.
From the very beginning, you were spoken into existence with purpose and for a purpose. Formed in the image of God, breathed into with divine intention, you were created to be loved and to reflect his glory which is love. From that same beginning, your life has been opposed.
This is the great assault of the enemy—to distort the image of God within us, to make us question what was never meant to be questioned: Who am I? Am I loved? Am I seen? Do I matter?
But what if new moments could come, initiating moments that would redeem, replace, and repair your heart, mind, soul and even body?
Hear this, deep in your soul: God’s answer has never changed. You are his. Fully known. Fully loved. Not because of what you have done, but because of who he is and who you are to him. And this is not just what is written in scripture but what he wants to write into your story, to show you, to tell you. He may even partner with other image bearers, those who love him, to give you good words, encouraging compliments, honoring listening, and yes, even recognition for your wonderful way. That’s how love works. That’s how initiation works. Initiation is another moment in time, one more powerful than the day you were taken out.
The journey of reclaiming your identity is not about hiding your past or striving to become someone new. It is about healing from your past through initiation and validation so you can return to who you have always been in the eyes of your Father. It is about unlearning the lies that have entangled you, renouncing them, and hearing his voice above the noise, “I love you, I love you, I love you.” Empowering you to step out of the shadows and into the unshakable experiencing of his love.
God does not require you to perform for his approval. You already have it. He does not ask you to prove your worth. It has never been in question. Instead, he calls you to see what is in the way, to bring it to him so you can be initiated and then … rest—ah, rest; to let go of the exhausting effort to be enough and simply receive the truth that you already are. Welcome to the party, the Kingdom celebration of you and welcome to the sanctuary, the Kingdom spa of rest for you.
Jesus said, actually invited, “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.” Matthew 11:28-29
This is the invitation: to align your heart with his truth, not just once but again and again and again, to let his voice be louder than all the others, even if it is just a whisper. To walk as one who is chosen, cherished, and commissioned. Because when you experience from God who you truly are, the initiation will allow you to then see how to truly live.
You were never meant to live small. Stand tall, beloved one. The truth of who you are has been spoken from the beginning of time, and continues to be spoken, the Trinity wants to show and tell you again and again … their feelings about you will never change. Today, will you receive the love of God that heals, validates and initiatives you … that transforms you?
As you ponder all this today, consider asking God:
Father, where have I believed lies about who I am? What words or wounds have shaped my identity in ways that are not from you?
Jesus, how do You see me? What is the truth you are speaking over me today?
Holy Spirit, give me the courage to let go of false identities and step fully into the person you created me to be.
