A few years ago an idea started as a funny joke between my college friend and myself. We were talking about how terribly un-super we felt when we looked at certain social media. We saw all these amazing posts that made us realize just how regular and un-super we really were compared to the things we were seeing online. When you are comparing yourself to how AWESOME other people want the rest of the world to think they are, you begin to believe that you are less than you really are. But, the trap of comparison is easy to fall into.
There is always someone you see or you can find that you think is better than you are at something. So, what we decided to do was to # every un-super moment in our lives with a #GodSuper that would combat our un-super feelings. That helped us to not dwell on the area where we felt we were lacking, but rather concentrated on the areas where God was providing for us. It was like saying, yes I feel like a failure right now, BUT GOD is more than that. when you say but to something you saying pretty much everything before it doesn't matter. But, in order to do that we had to figure out how God makes us Super. That comes in the identity that he gives each of us. So, I'd like to start a series I'm calling #MirrorMirror. I want to help you see what God see when he looks at you.
In order for us to truly put away comparisons in our own lives, we have to know who we are. We have to be able to correctly identify ourselves the way that God does and not just the way that society does and the way that we think we are. The struggle to know who you are is a real and difficult one sometimes, but trust me when I tell you that God has put all kinds of reminders in His word of who we are, but we have to be committeed to seeing ourselves the way that He sees us. So, who does God say we are?
One of my favorite stories in the Bible is that of Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah. You may know them better as Shadrach, Micshach, and Abendigo. But those were not their names. We think that they are because that's how everyone always refers to them. I guess those were the easier of the two sets of names to pronounce, but the fact remains that those were not their names. Those were the names that the chief of staff for Nebuchadnezzar gave them once they came to Babylonia. These men were the three chosen with Daniel to be captives in the land from the tribe of Juda.
But, why change their names? Because our names are how we identify ourselves. What people call us is how we begin to think of ourselves. I think back to the first memory I have of comparing myself. I was in preschool, and I remember a little boy calling me "Fat-So." I knew from that point forward that I was fat. I continued through 13 more years of school with this young man and I never forgot that. That name always played in the back of my head whenever he was around. I let that boy identify who I was. The names that we call ourselves and that we allow others to call us really do shape who we are. Names mean something. That was even truer during Daniel's time. During this time names were full of meaning and life. Parents would often name children with certain hopes and aspirations for who they would be. And, these four men had names that honored the God of Israel.
*Daniel means, "God is my judge."
Hananiah means, "The LORD shows grace."
Mishael means, "Who is like God?"
Azariah means, "The LORD helps."
So, Nebuchadnezzar has their names changed in an effort to pull their identity away from God and towards Babylonia. How often do we allow ourselves to identify with where we are and not who God has already called us to be? Social media is rampant with people trying to tell everyone else who they are. We want so badly to have an identity, to be our own person, that we often forget that God has already created us as unique people. He has given us all valuable identities. Nebuchadnezzar's tactic was all too obvious in the new names he gives them.
*Daniel became Beltshazzar which means, "Bel, protect his life!"
Hananiah became Shadrach which means, "under the command of Aku." Aku was the Babylonian god of the moon.
Mishael became Meshach which likely means, "Who is like Aku?"
Finally, Azariah became Abednego meaning, "servant of Nego/Nebo/Nabu." That would have been the Babylonian god of learning and writing.
*Life Application Study Bible
Each new name was meant to insult God and to cause these men to forget who they really were. But, these men didn't listen to who Babylonia said they should be, rather they held fast to true identity in God. Their assurance of who God said they were was strong enough tot face the blazing furnace. They literally stepped into a fire, and faced death because they knew exactly who they were. They were servants of the one true God. That kind of assurance comes only from God.
Social media opens up a platform for us to allow other people to identify who we are. We are just waiting for someone else to tell us that we are valuable. We want them to tell us that we are worth their time and energy. We want them tot tell us who we should be. But, God says there's a better way. He invites us to learn who He says we are. Who He created us to be.
*Life Application Study Bible
*Life Application Study Bible
So, then, who does God say you are?
You are a Princess and heir to the kingdom.
"Now if we are children, then we are heirs -- heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ, if indeed we share in his sufferings in order that we may also share in his glory." Romans 8:17 (NIV)
In today's society being a princess conjures many images. There are ideas of royal weddings and mile long trains. There are also thoughts of spoiled brats that roll around kicking and screaming on the floor because they can't have the newest version of the iPhone, that they so respectfully asked for (wink,wink).
But, there is another picture that is so much more pleasant to consider. I would say "close your eyes and picture this." But, then you wouldn't be able to read it, so it's probably best to keep your eyes open. But imagine in your mind as you read. Beautiful colors paint the floor around you. You are adorned with a flowing white gown. The softness of the material makes your 1,000 count Egyptian cotton sheets feel like sandpaper. On your head, which is covered with the smoothest, least frizzy hair imaginable, sits a golden crown. This crown is covered with jewels and valuable stones of every kind. A voice says, "Here is your seat. Come and sit next to me." You are a princess.
You know, that's what happens when your daddy is a King. God is the King of Kings, and you are His daughter. Romans 8:17 says we are God's children and co-heirs with Christ. But, it also says that we will be co-sufferers. If you stop at verse 17, it seems a bit depressing. It's basically saying you will suffer, and honestly sister no one wants to hear that. We don't want to hear that it's going to be hard. But, let's keep reading. Verse 18 says that we can't compare our current suffering with the glory that will be revealed in us. That, princess, is a beautiful thought. We will have to suffer things here on this earth, but we will be able to share in the great Glory of Heaven with our Daddy King and our sweet Jesus. That is what we have to keep in mind. While it may be difficult here on this earth, some day we will be washed in the splendor of Heaven and sit with God himself as a Princess. How could it get any better than that?
So, if God decided that you were important enough to make you an heir to His kingdom, then that must mean that you are valuable.
Questions to Ponder (and please comment below your thoughts and feelings. I would love to hear what God has to say to you.)
- In what ways have you allowed social media to tell you who you are? How is that identity the same or different from who God says you are?
- When have you allowed yourself to be identified by where you were (circumstances or actual place) and not who you actually are?
- What parts of your identity as a child of God do you find hard to reconcile with your current life? How can you begin to change that perspective?
Comments
Post a Comment