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We live in a culture where it can seem attention equals significance. It’s tempting to measure our worth in Facebook likes and Twitter followers. And, I will confess, as someone called to a public role I battle this almost every day. {By the way–there is no amount of approval that will make the fear go away. What I fight most is still insecurity.}
Can you relate to my struggle? Perhaps for you the details look different. But if you’ve ever had a moment when you thought you had to prove your worth then you’ve been there too.
With a new book releasing soon, I recently found myself unable to sleep one night as the old conflict raged inside me yet again. Then it seemed God whispered to my anxious heart, “You don’t have to make a name for yourself because you serve the One whose name is above all names.” Woah.
Let me say that again: We don’t have to make a name for ourselves because we serve the One whose name is above all names.
Philippians 2:9-11 tells the story:
God elevated him to the place of highest honor
and gave him the name above all other names,
that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow,
in heaven and on earth and under the earth,
and every tongue declare that Jesus Christ is Lord,
to the glory of God the Father.
Does that make anyone else want to stand up and cheer?
That truth means the pressure is off for us. We don’t have to make a name for ourselves. We don’t have to try to be the biggest or best. We don’t have to impress anyone. We only need to be faithful. That may put us in the spotlight or take us to a prayer closet where no one sees us–either way it’s not about us. It’s about Jesus.
And here’s what’s every better. The One whose name is above all names has named us.
He calls us…
Chosen. {1 Pt. 2:9}
Loved. {Eph. 5:2}
Accepted. {Rom. 15:7}
Wonderfully made. {Ps. 139:14}
More than conquerors. {Rom. 8:37}
And so much more.
So let’s live boldly from a place of confidence knowing everything we do is really about the God who calls us His people. Who invites us to be part of His work. Who promises to give us everything we need to complete His purpose for our lives.
And you know what? With Him we can’t lose, we can’t fail, we can’t be defeated. We can’t be insignificant. We can’t be overlooked. We can’t be left behind or left out. We can’t miss out or mess up too much for Him to use us. Woo-hoo! That means we get to live in freedom and joy instead of pressure and striving.
Let’s dare to defy the lie that we have to prove our worth. Instead let’s rest in knowing we’re already approved by the only One whose opinion really matters.
XOXO
Holley Gerth
* If you liked this post, you’ll love this book – You’re Already Amazing: Embracing Who You Are, Becoming All God Created You to Be {and the new LifeGrowth Guide releasing March 1!}
* This post is part of the “What’s True About Us” series. You can find all the posts in the series here.
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Welcome to the Coffee for Your Heart weekly link-up! You’re an encourager so I’m asking you to pour out a little love with your words every Wednesday {link-up goes live at 5:30am CST}. Simply write an encouraging blog post and then share it here. Don’t have a blog? You can still write an encouraging comment. If you’re reading this by email, go to holleygerth.com to see all the fun and join in too.
Pretty please use this button in your blog post so others can easily join in with us {html code in right sidebar}. And when you link up your post, take a moment to leave an encouraging comment on the one that’s linked up just before yours. Thanks, friends!
I’m having Coffee For Your Heart with my friend Holley Gerth
{click to tweet that you’re joining me here today}
I needed these words today “So let’s live boldly from a place of confidence knowing everything we do is really about the God who calls us His people.” I’m not feeling really bold OR confident, so thank you for the reminder that I don’t have to do anything more than live and rest in HIS identity.
Oh my, Holley! Get out of my brain! I talked this very thing over with God this morning. I asked Him to help me receive my validation from Him and not my numbers. Thank you for sharing this today! It is exactly what I needed to hear!
Holly, thank you for the way you open up your life so honestly…because it makes me feel like, Phew- I’m normal…if she feels that way…I know I’m not alone.
Thank you for reminding us with the beautiful way you strung those verses together, that God says who we are.
Happy Wednesday!
Megs
Holly, thank you for sharing this! I love your transparency and authenticity. Insecurity can plague all of us. I needed to hear this message today….”We don’t have to make a name for ourselves because we serve the One whose name is above all names.” So true and so necessary for me to grasp.
Thank you Holly,
This is something that I needed to hear today. This morning I’m giving myself permission to slow down, relax, and remember that I truly do serve the one who is above all 🙂 Wishing you a week of peace, and joy as you get ready for the book release!
So often I come to your place and find that you are writing about the very thing that I am needing to hear. God has been testing my “vision” as of late, and I’m growing in my gratitude for the hope He offers!
That same lie, on repeat. Thank you for putting words to the truth of who we are because of Him. So much hope, so much boldness there. Always, because of Him. <3
Holley, this really resonates with me this morning. I am just at the beginning of my writing career, but I recognize the many traps that lie ahead of me. Keeping my eyes focused on Jesus instead of searching for the approval of others is the only way to navigate this path successfully. Thank you for your open and honest encouragement this morning. I feel blessed to be part of your book launch team and look forward to sharing your important message with others!
“We don’t have to make a name for ourselves because we serve the One whose name is above all names.”
YES! We don’t need celebrity or pedestals. Just Jesus.
“We don’t have to make a name for ourselves because we serve the One whose name is above all names.” I love the message God gave you, Holley. Also your reminder of what He has named us. Thank you for your continuing encouragement. And for having the courage to step out and release another book. May God bless it!
wooh – Amen.
It’s so encouraging to hear from you and know we’re in this together!
I do battle this, Holley. Your words bring encouragement, and offer to help lift the weight of the lie. Thank you. I am praying over the book release and the readers drawn to it. Best wishes!
Yes, we only need to be faithful because we live for Him! We don’t have to prove anything, because He’s already taken care of things. 🙂 Blessings!
I agree with Sarah, focus on Jesus. He redeemed us and loved us, so He’s happy with us. I don’t think we have to make a name for ourselves either. We also don’t want t grieve the Holy Spirit by giving into to those phony accusations the enemy would place on us. I’m not even a published author yet, and I’m not familiar with a lot of computer skills, but I am blessed when I see the numbers on my blog, and also to share the love of God on Pinterest. I know your book will be a great success. Thank you for sharing, we can come together as sisters in Christ and make Wednesdays wonderful.
Wow, this truly spoke to my heart! So, so good!
Thanks for sharing, Holley.
So true!!
Thank you, for this message!! It’s one this heart needed today…and it looks like others did too.
What a powerful post, Holley! Thanks for the encouragement and your sharing. Thanks as well for hosting this Linkup. I look forward to stopping by each week! Blessings on your week!
Holley, I so needed this reminder tonight. I am so thankful for your obedience to God’s call on your life! And … guess what I got in the mail today 🙂 Super excited!!!!
holley – thanks again for your right on comments – at almost very old (64 in May) I find myself confident in what God’s given me to share on His behalf, but still insecure, looking for that A approval and then feel dumb about it. (shoot, bother as an even older, friend-mentor likes to say) Tyring to live for an audience of one and not always succeeding. Really enjoying the slicing of the thw words of Fenelon, The Seeking Heart – you may as well – i like to call him my favorite 17th C Catholic priest blogger!
This truth, ” The one who is the Name of ALL Names has named us.” Oh, I love this. I love this reminder, Holley. Thank you.
Blessings to you!
Dawn
What great timing, to meet you here! Thank you for your words. Recently, after days of making Social Media posts, reading and listening to podcast on how best to utilize social media, and watching the results (and non-results) I heard God speak to me saying, “Don’t use Me to make you popular.” Ha!! Those are words I would not not say so know it was Him reminding me to keep Him first, which is a relief! It takes the pressure off and puts my heart back into a place of serving Him.
A really different and worthwhile perspective…we do not need to make a name for ourselves since the One we serve is the Name that really matters.True! True! True!