The Key to Making Sense of Your Life
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photo by debby hudson on unsplash
Last week I shared about how God has been giving me an extra-strong reminder of the importance of relationship with Him.
One of the reasons relationship with God is so vital is that it’s only through Him that we can find our true identity and purpose.
In his book The Gift of Being Yourself Christian author and psychologist David Benner wrote, “People who have never developed a deep personal knowing of God will be limited in the depth of their personal knowing of themselves. Failing to know God, they will be unable to know themselves, as God is the only context in which their being makes sense.”
I’ve found this to be true in my own life. Some of the most valuable things I’ve learned about myself have come directly through communion with God.
Yes, feedback from other people, personality surveys, and personal experience have all provided valuable information. But some of the sweetest, truest parts of myself have been revealed through the still small voice of my loving Creator, Father, and Friend.
He’s the one who told me I’m a shepherd and that I’m designed to encourage, equip, and nurture women in their relationship with Christ.
He’s the one who gave me the freedom to write.
And He continues to reveal things about me. Earlier this year I was reading Without Rival by Lisa Bevere. While discussing finding our identity, she suggested this exercise: “Pick up a pen, close your eyes, and ask your Creator to whisper his unique designations over you.”
Then she said, “I challenge you to write down three words or phrases that he whispers over you.” I decided to accept the challenge, but I’ll be honest, I doubted I would get a clear answer right away. I don’t think I bothered to have a pen ready, but I went ahead and asked the question, “God, how do you see me?” Immediately, I heard God answer in my spirit: Charming, creative, and energetic.
I was both delighted at such a quick response and also surprised by the words spoken. Charming? And energetic? These are not words I would have chosen to describe myself. Especially charming! But clearly God sees things in me that I don’t.
The process of self-discovering in relationship with God is really fun. Unlike what so many of us have been led to believe, God is really loving and lighthearted. And, whether we get answers quickly or more gradually over time, when we spend time with Him, He is faithful to meet us and reveal the truth of who we are in Him.
This week, I just want to encourage you, again, to make time for Jesus. I encourage you to accept Jesus’ invitation to purpose-filled, abiding life through relationship with Him because He is the only context in which our being makes sense.
And I encourage you to take some time to do the little exercise Lisa Bevere suggested. Ask God how He sees you. You just might be surprised at what you hear!
With love and affection,
P.S. Christmas is just around the corner!
It’s the best—and also the busiest—time of year.
You want to spend time with Jesus, but there’s so much to do.
I know firsthand how the bustling, planning, and partying, can eat away at our connection with the real reason for the season.
That’s why I’m offering a video-based devotional mini-course that can help you connect with Jesus in a fresh way in just a few minutes each week in December.
Check out the details and sign up by clicking here or clicking the link or image to the right.
I’m excited to share this special season together!
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What has God said about you in the past? If you feel like you've never had God say anything to you about who you are, take some time this week to get in a quiet place and ask. Have a pen and paper ready and expect to hear. And if you have any questions about learning to hear God's voice I'd be happy to talk with you about it!
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P.S.
I wrote this post because I’m on a mission to encourage and equip women to live the life of faith, passion, and purpose that we were made for. You can help make a difference by sharing this post with a friend (or friends!) who you think would be encouraged or inspired by it. Thanks!
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