Who Are You?

"It doesn't really matter how you feel about your character; it just matters what you do with it."

--The One, Kiera Cass

Oh my! I love the Selection series. Because all the princess-y things, duh. 😉

 

An important part of this series is Illea's numbered caste system. The prince, for example, is a one. America is a five, her family being artists and musicians. Your number determines your destiny.

Except, of course, for the Selection.

When Prince Maxon comes of age, every eligible young woman may sign up for a chance to win the prince's heart and become the future queen.

Yesterday I was listening to an online devotional about identity. During the prayer portion, the speaker asked us to repeat key phrases stating truths about who we are in Christ. It's a really powerful thing to speak out loud that you are royalty, a daughter (or son) of God. You are beloved. You are treasured. Wanted.

God takes each of us, regardless of whether we are number one or not, and says, "I want you."

I have a scripture on my fridge from Zephaniah. I like to read it from time to time to remind myself of where I stand.

Verses 13-18 say:

Sing aloud, O daughter of Zion;
    shout, O Israel!
Rejoice and exult with all your heart,
    O daughter of Jerusalem!

The Lord has taken away the judgments against you,
    he has cast out your enemies.
The King of Israel, the Lord, is in your midst;
    you shall fear evil no more.
 On that day it shall be said to Jerusalem:
“Do not fear, O Zion;
    let not your hands grow weak.
 The Lord your God is in your midst,
    a warrior who gives victory;
he will rejoice over you with gladness,
    he will renew you in his love;
he will exult over you with loud singing
     as on a day of festival.
“I will remove disaster from you,
    so that you will not bear reproach for it.

(RSV, emphasis mine)

*You are a daughter.

*The Lord has taken away judgments against you.

*He has cast away your enemies.

*You are not to fear (x2!).

*He is with you.

*He is a warrior on your behalf.

*He will rejoice over you.

*He sings over you--Loudly!--like someone would sing at a festival.

(I don't know about you but, for me, this conjures up images of someone smiling widely, having fun, and being borderline goofy with joy. This is how Jesus sings over you!)

*No reproach (or disapproval).

God is looking at us saying, "You're my kid." He isn't staring at us in anger. He's telling you not to be afraid while He fights on your behalf. He's with you. And He's singing joyfully because of you.

That doesn't mean things are always super or that we don't do things that sometimes displease God. But, at the end of the day, He's calling us His own and holding on to us.

You are not an eight, the lowest of the low, with no hope for a future. You are a one, a royal child of God. And you are loved!

Blessings, J <3