By Chloe Grabeman
Well, Christmas is now three days past. The gifts have been boxed up and the wrapping paper thrown away. We are now looking towards the new year which can only mean one thing: the hour of resolutions is upon us. Tis the season of renewed gym memberships, organized planners and abandoned Christmas cookies. But before we begin our steps toward a transformed self in 2018, I would like to challenge you with a new resolution to put at the very top of your list.
In this age of acceptance and approval, we have been striving for something that is so backward. We chase after the admiration of the conditional love of man while we completely neglect the power of God’s unconditional love. Perhaps we have come to believe that because we don’t have to work for God’s love, it is somehow less worthy and precious than the approval we are striving so hard to obtain from others. So, when we look in the mirror we either tear ourselves down because we don’t see what the world considers worthy of love or we push ourselves until we stand in the imaginary winner’s circle. It is such a natural mode of being in this broken world (and trust me, I am preaching to the choir).
Don’t get me wrong, I think New Year’s resolutions can be wonderful things, but as with everything, our intentions need to be right.
Before we ring in 2018 I would like to give you a pre-New Year’s resolution to put as the foundation of every day. For this year and every year to come.
In this new year, practice loving yourself the way Jesus loves you.
Christ found you beautiful, found you inspiring, and found you worthy at your worst. He loves you perfectly now. Not after you lose 10 pounds, not after you get a job, and not after you have a significant other.
Isaiah 43 states,
“But now thus says the Lord, he who created you, O Jacob, ‘Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by name, you are mine…You are precious in my eyes, and honored, and I love you.’”
These words God speaks to us are not a casual utterance, they are an awe-inspiring proclamation meant to define our very being. “Thus says the Lord,” should translate to you as “LISTEN TO ME! YOU ARE MY BELOVED, NO MATTER WHAT!”
Let 2018 be a year marked by God’s love really meaning something to you. Meaning more than others’ love, acceptance, and approval. Because it is so much more. It is steadfast, pursuing, and stubborn. Speak these words over yourself every day, that you are loved, cherished, and worthy in both your failures and your victories and let this sweet release guide you with thankfulness and wholeness into the new year.
Song List:
Your Love is Strong – Cory Asbury https://youtu.be/m6cQE7lB4vU
Mountain – Strahan
Water and Fire – Strahan
Satisfied – Strahan
Build My Life: Housefires
Check them out on the Real and True Playlist on Spotify https://open.spotify.com/user/128815512/playlist/3YfqgeMjEUj7ZB8ydKd5qL