Who Do You Think You Are?

I love to write characters who find healing in their lives after discovering their identify in Christ. Graham Maier from Lavender Fields Inn could never quite please his father. Greg, Graham’s brother and his dad’s favorite, always took first place in the Maier home. Greg was a better athlete, made friends more easily, and as an adult entered a profession his father admired. So Graham grew up believing he didn’t measure up to his parents’ standards. I could relate.

Here’s what happens so often. Unfortunately we live in a fallen world and many of us grow up without the affirmation we need. Other people, or even our loved ones, point out our faults. If they’re spoken in love, that’s one thing. But sometimes the criticisms are harsh and destructive. And we tend to internalize what they’ve said.

But here’s the good news that Graham learned. There’s One who’s opinion is more valuable than rubies, silver, or gold. When we become grounded in what God says about us, we can walk in freedom.

God declares us not guilty of sin. “All are justified freely by this grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus.” Romans 3: 24

We don’t have to live life under a burden of disapproval from others. “Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.” Romans 8:1

We are brand new people, different than we used to be. “Therefore if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come!” 2 Corinthians 5: 17

We are blameless in His sight. “For he chose us in him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in his sight.” Ephesians 1: 4

So here’s the good news. We are adopted as God’s dear children. “In love he predestined us to be adopted as his sons through Jesus Christ.” Ephesians 1: 5

Graham learned a secret. Instead of striving to please his earthly father, real peace came when he realized what God said about him and how much his Heavenly Father valued him.