Mistaken Identity

"Oh no!  What did I do?"

That moment when you realize you made a huge mistake, perhaps the biggest ever,
and you can't take it back . . .

Could you imagine being formed as an adult from the get go?  

No childhood.  No adolescence.

No memories.  No history.

Boom!  Here you are.  

Firsts always have it the hardest.  

The younger ones always benefit from the experiences of those that came before.

Adam and Eve were the firsts.

We'd all like to believe that we would have chosen differently.

When the preacher mentions the name "Eve", 

instantly, what comes to mind?

How dreadful, for one's name to be associated with a mistake, 

a sin, or a weakness.  

No one knows or cares about all the good you may have done before or even after.  You try hiding it, ignoring it, denying it, forgetting it, fixing it, justifying it, to no avail.  

It's true. 

And, it marked or continues to mark your life forever.  So now, you carry this unwanted truth with you day in and day out, everywhere you go, every minute of the day.  

We learn through God's word that not one of us is without sin.  No one, except for Jesus himself, has lived a faultless, perfect, sinless life.

However, the exciting and amazing news is this, 

Jesus came to take away the shame of our mistakes.  

His mission was to wipe our slate clean, and He accomplished it with flying colors.  

Regardless of what others may think when they hear our name mentioned, in Christ we are a royal priesthood, a new creation, the apple of His eye.

Former things have passed away.  In Him, we are no longer shamed with the memory of our past, we are now crowned with the gift of being called His!  

God's desire is that we live in freedom, not heavy ladened with our past attached to our back.  What He has set free, is free indeed.  May the Lord help us to forgive ourselves and to forgive others as He has. For it is equally difficult for others to be associated with their past as it is for us.

As the redeemed of the Lord, let's begin associating each other as daughters, princesses of the Most High God.  If we believe this, then let us act upon what we profess.  

"Instead of your shame you shall have double honor,

And instead of confusion they shall rejoice in their portion.

Therefore, in their land they shall possess double;

Everlasting joy shall be theirs."

Isaiah 61:7

I think this may be one of my new favorite verses.  

It is God's desire that we live in the joy of knowing Him.

The shame and confusion that once named us, plagued us, 

no longer does.

Why are we lamenting something that is no longer true?

Now are names are associated with double honor, rejoicing 

and wholeness in Christ, our Lord.

Let's decide today, in prayer and through His power, that we will no longer live in the pain of our past, but we now will reside in our new residence, the peace and joy of His presence.  

Thank you so much for stopping by.

If you have an extra few minutes, please stop by 

Holley Gerth: Coffee For Your Heart

to enjoy more encouringing words.

Love,