{my graphics are free goodies for you}
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.
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I’m having Coffee For Your Heart with my friend Holley Gerth
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