You Are Worthy

Dear friends, women of the Lord, whether you believe it or not, you are loved. You are worthy. You are beautiful. You were not made to be broken, to cry, and to live a life of seeking acceptance from this world. Don’t you know you are a precious jewel? Actually, you are worth more than jewels and priceless artwork. You are worth more than fancy cars and designer clothing. Why do we keep battling and fighting for the acceptance of this world? Why do we fight for attention from strangers and people who care so little for our hearts? What are you searching for? Stop listening to the voices of your past, stop listening to your insecurities. Don’t you know you are worth more. You’re worth more than being lusted after. You’re worth more than searching the world for compliments. You’re worth more than the selfies you keep posting. You’re worth more than sex offered from a boy and not a man who will care for your heart first. You’re worth more than low cut tops and short skirts.

This world wants to steal away our preciousness. This world is dying to fit us into its perfect mold of how women should be. Should we be skinny, curvaceous, toned, tan, large breasted, tattooed, blonde hair, blue hair, short, tall, or some unreal mixture of all of the above? There’s so many different voices trying desperately to tell you who you are, but don’t listen to them. A woman in trouble for committing adultery was brought to Jesus by the pharisees, and they said that the Law of Moses says to stone such a woman. Jesus doesn't respond with words right away, instead he draws a line in the sand and then spoke these words, “Let any one of you who is without sin be the first to throw a stone at her.” John 8:7. The only ones left were Jesus and the woman, and instead of condemning her he says, “go now and leave your life of sin.” Jesus did not take away the life of this woman, but instead breathed life into her. He’s offering something different, something unique, he is offering more than what this world has to offer; which is darkness, mediocrity, and despair.

Jesus is offering this to us today as well. Whether you’re 15 years old or you’re 50 years old and you’re reading this, Jesus is not going to condemn you today. Instead, he is saying that you are worthy of more. You are worthy of life. He doesn’t tell you to remember you're past and all of the sins you have committed but instead to leave it behind and live a brand new life. I have also been deceived by this world and have felt the darkness it can entrap you in. But at the cross I am reminded that I am worthy, that I am beautiful, and that I am made for more. I am not a product of this world, but a unique and beautiful creation of the breath of God. Quit listening to the other voices that try to trick you’re soul into believing you’re something that you’re not and listen to that one still voice who knows exactly who are. Press into him and he will press into you. Be still and you will hear his voice. You don't have to walk this road alone.

I didn't write this, Erwin Raphael McManus did and he titles it "Where the Echoes Stop". This poem is absolutely beautiful. I have re-read it many times the last couple of days, letting it sink deep into my soul. Read it slowly and let each word, each line sink in. Let it breathe life into you today, and tomorrow, and the next. Be still today, and let God breathe life into your soul.

I want to stand where the echoes stop. Far past where sound has abandoned thought. Where silence reigns over redundancy. Where once well said is more than enough.


I want to stand where the echoes stop. Where words must be born to be heard. Where speech is a gift and not a curse. Where there is more of the unique and less of the mundane.


"I want to stand where the echoes stop. Where meaning is rescued from noise… Where conviction replaces thoughtless repetition… Where what everyone is saying surrenders to what needs to be said.


I want to stand where the echoes stop. Where the shouting of the masses falls silent to the whisper of the one… Where the voice of the majority submits to the voice of reason… Where “they” do not exist; but “we” do.


I want to stand where the echoes stop. Where substance overthrows the superficial… Where courage conquers compliance and conformity… Where words do not travel farther than the person who speaks them.


I want to stand where the echoes stop. Where I only say what I believe. Where I only repeat what changes me. Where empty words finally rest in peace.


I want to stand where the echoes stop.
“Be still and know that I am God…” Psalm 46:10"

Recently I discovered an amazing church that is in Los Angeles called Mosaic. I instantly felt connected to them and all that they stand for. If you have a chance check out their podcasts on iTunes. They are worth the time. I was recently listening to their podcasts and they talk about having a mission. I became really curious when he started talking about this. I sometimes wonder in my heart and in my soul what on earth I was created for? Ephesians 2:10 tells me that God already has good works for me that are already planned out. But to be honest, I am often unsure of myself and question who I am and why I am here. So when he started talking about a mission my ears perked right up. It's so easy for people to go through life without a purpose, and without a plan. I also look around and I see a world that has become lost in conformity, in normality. What I'm beginning to realize is that God is not a God about laws or rules. God is a God of love and of creativity. He designed us to be creative, to make things, to live. I looked up what the antonyms of creativity are and here are a few: uncreative, fruitless, impotent, ungifted, unproductive, unimaginative, etc. These are all of the opposite of who Jesus is. When your spirit lacks creativity, it is lacking all of the amazing things God has in store for your life. My number one mission in my life is to share the love of Jesus Christ with all whom I come in contact with. As a church our mission should all be about Jesus. The cool thing is that God has other missions for all of us, specifically for each of us. Right now I am currently seeking God and asking him what my mission is. Being a Christian isn't easy. Following God means you might lose some people along the way, you're going to have to let go of parts of yourself. Being a follower of Christ means you're going to have to take risks. You're going to have to trust him even when you're literally sitting on the floor crying and broken. Being a follower of Christ means you're going to have to forgive, to forgive others and to forgive yourself. It's hard, but everyday I choose to look at the cross and see all of the love that has been poured out. I must come to him for he will show me the way. So how can you find your mission? Where do you start...


1. Prayer- Prayer is powerful. It's our main line to God. I will admit that I wonder if he hears me sometimes. Prayer can be scary but when you understand what prayer is, it changes you. A prayer filled life will reveal to you so much. It will guide you. Pray to God to guide and surrender yourself to him in prayer. He wants you and he wants to hear what you have to say. He's not looking for formality but for a talk with his child. He may not answer you the way you want, but he knows what's best for.


2. Community- We were not created to be alone. We were created for friendship and companionship. We were created for love. When people talk to me and get to know me I want them to see Christ's love. A great place to find out what your mission is, is to find a community. Find a church, a group, something where you can get to know people. I am often afraid of putting myself out there, but there is nothing better than loving people and being loved back. God doesn't want you to go through life alone, we just were't created that way.


3. Trust- Trusting isn't easy. I've been let down so many times I have a hard time trusting people. God isn't going to let you down. He is faithful. His timing may not be your timing, but he has a plan for you. You just have to trust him. When I feel like I can't trust God I remind myself of all the things he has already done for. I am reminded that he will come through. It's not easy,it's a struggle. I'm not sure if it will ever be easy but I am sure that he has my best interest at heart.


4. Love- If you ever forget who you are or get lost in this crazy life, let your heart be anchored by love. God doesn't expect you to take all these different steps and paths to reach him and get to know. Christianity is the one religion where love is the direct line to God. God sent his son as an act of love so that we can have a relationship with him. There's no crazy initiation or steps, just love and faith.


So if anyone has ever hurt you or pushed you away from Jesus or mis-represented who he is, then I am deeply sorry. There's a lot of people who may claim to be following Christ but if you never saw love then just know that that's not who God is. His arms are open wide and they're waiting for you to run to them. If you are weary, broken, and hurt then drink the water of life from him. He is offering a life of love, creativity, and forgiveness.