Do You Know?

The other day I read Philemon during my devotional time. In this book Paul urges Philemon to forgive and accept Onesimus, a runaway slave, as a brother in Christ. Paul insisted that any wrong Onesimus had done or any debt he owed, Paul would handle. He wanted Philemon to accept Onesimus as if he were Paul himself. During this same devotional time I read some passages from Genesis that highlighted Joseph's life from the time Pharoah made him second in command to the time he was reunited with his brothers during the famine. Joseph's brothers didn't accept him or their father's love for him. Out of jealousy they sold him to merchants and he became a slave in Egypt. It took many years for him to rise from being a slave to becoming a powerful leader.

Both of these men were slaves, property to be bought and sold. They had no rights, their thoughts and feelings didn't matter, they were considered the lowest thing on the totem pole. Even if they tried, they would receive no acceptance from the people around them. Is that you? Do you try to gain acceptance from the world? Do you look to others to boost your self-esteem or to give you a sense of purpose? Do you measure your self-worth by society's standards? If you're a Christian as Onesimus and Joseph were, you'll never find fulfillment that way. You are loved and accepted by the one who matters most: God. He loved you so much that He sent His only son to be born, live, and to die just so you, an unworthy sinner, could have a home in Heaven with Him. Jesus Himself experienced rejection from this world, why do you expect to experience acceptance from it?

As human beings our feelings change constantly and they're subjective, so go with the facts. Don't ask yourself if you feel loved and accepted, know that you are by the one who matters most. Take that fact and use it to live a life that's pleasing to Him and carry out His purpose for your life.

In Christ,

Christina Gibbs

Once raised by a Virtuous single mother, I am now a SAVED and strong Virtuous, Fashionista, that has been freed from a broken heart with God’s love, who accepts when God says ‘No”, who cherishes my best friend, who fears the Lord, who’s best friend is the Lord, that waits on discernment from God, who is living for today, who is a woman of strength, that understands the power of my words, that is aware of God’s presence, is allowing my light to shine, whose growing to be more passionate about serving the Lord, who can listen without pride to constructive criticism, whose fear does not hold me back, who runs to the Lord first about everything, who strives to stay on God’s course, who is saved by the grace of God, who admits to being envious of others at times, who knows my worth, has a calming peace, who gives thanks daily, who wants to be a godly example to others, who is able to forgive my enemies, who has high expectations of me, who has been created in God’s own image, who lovingly submits to my spouse, who understands God's love, has an intimate relationship with God, supports Breast Cancer Awareness, with a family who honors me, Virtuous friends who love me, and with a giving spirit.