~ Know Who You Are and Be OK With It ~



 

For the last few days I've been simmering on the thought , "Know who you are and be OK with it". Going into the New Year I think it's a solid thought for many of us . You would think that after all these years, life experiences , travels , relationships,  struggles , failures & victories it would be so simple for me to say "this is who I am and I'm o.k. with it" . But that is not always the case simply because I've realized how much of what we tell ourselves  and how much of what we are isn't exactly on course with the truth . Example: Everyone likes to think they are good in an emergency situation , but no one really knows until they are in one .

 

Another factor to this knowing is our moral , ethical , & spiritual code . We are raised or come into these things and feel as though based on teachings we know what we would do if ever in a situation where these things are tested . That choice being a active example of knowing who we are . But until we are faced with a situation where our moral , ethical or spiritual "code" is in need of being put into action we only "think" we know who we are and what we'd do . It is in the moment of making a choice that we find out who we are and it is after that moment is done and unchangeable that we have to decide are we OK with it ?

 

Thinking on life , it would seem that most of those life changing and defining choices come in our younger years , like High School . A person is constantly confronted with making a choice to go with this crew and do this thing or that thing or stay at home and spend time with family , the list goes on and on . And with each choice made more of who a person is becomes revealed . However recently I've realized that these big choices don't just happen when we are younger . They follow us throughout life constantly challenging us to keep ahold of who we are and teaching us to be OK with it . I was in conversation with a friend over a controversial topic . One of the first concerns from my friend was the possible "back lash" to my stance . Immediately I responded with something that surprised even me . My response jumped in my face with a reflection of who I am . After the conversation I was driving and lingering on that reflection . I was proud to feel o.k. with it .

 

It isn't every day that we are going to actually look into a tangible mirror and see our physical reflection and say, "yeah, I'm o.k. with this" . More than likely there will be few days that is our honest response to our physical reflection . But I think that it comes down to our internal reflection that is more important in this battle, discussion, or thought of "knowing who you are and being OK with it". It isn't about comparison . It isn't about , if someone else says somethings o.k. then it's o.k. It's about you deciding for you and being o.k. with the outcome .

 

Today I had the opportunity to listen to Candace Cameron Bure's testimony given at my Alma Mater Liberty University . I'm grateful for technology and how I can still soak up all that Liberty has to offer even from miles away and as a Alumni . Her message wasn't brazen , emotional , or what I'd consider loud as some messages can be . It was honest , simple , great and a current example of "knowing who you are and being o.k. with it" . It is about 30 minutes so if you have time I'd love to share it with you. If not, perhaps you can stop back by my blog another day to give it a listen . I hope that it speaks to you as it did me .

 

 

 

There is a verse that Candace shares from Ezekiel that really struck a chord with me tonight . I've struggled for awhile with the darkness we are capable of not just as humans, but even as Christians . While we are salt and light to this earth we are also made from the dust of the earth......and that can get muddy . The promise from Ezekiel 36:26 is one that I'm going to attempt to cling to as I walk my path . I have placed it below in several different translations for your benefit . I pray it speak to you and perhaps free you from some unnecessary darkness or burdens .

 

 Ezekiel 36:26

²⁶A new heart also will I give you, and a new spirit will I put within you: and I will take away the stony heart out of your flesh, and I will give you an heart of flesh. -KJV

 

²⁶ I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit in you; I will remove from you your heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh - NIV

 

 26 And I will give you a new heart, and a new spirit I will put within you. And I will remove the heart of stone from your flesh and give you a heart of flesh. -ESV

I'd also like to share this lil' tid bit from my friend Meredith Andrews Sooter . This comes from her time at Girls of Grace not too long ago . It goes along, for me anyway with the message I'm attempting to get across . I pray it encourages you too .