By: Kathyrn N.
Date: September 27, 2021
I’m not longer a slave to fear. I am a child of God.
What do these words mean?
I find that September is always so busy. I look at a calendar and can’t believe we’re X many days into it. Often, in the midst of this busy-ness, it is easy to devote ourselves to other things. Suddenly, we find ourselves caught up in the school season, the changing weathers, or just the busy season of work. Are we still finding time to devote ourselves back to Our Father? Do we consciously remind ourselves to think of God and to build our relationship with him?
I know for me, it’s easy to find my calendar lined up with events or errands. In turn, it’s easy to find myself relating to my past slave-like tendencies. And woah. That sounds harsh. However, when you think about it, several Christians, particularly Catholics, have felt this way in the past. We always feel like we need to do something – or be something in order to have others love us. Furthermore, I would add that society tells women in particular that we need to do something or be something more than what we already are – a daughter, a female, a woman.
In our relationship with God, it may also be very easy to feel this way. As a child, I always felt as though I had to do good work in order to be “saved” or “loved” by Our Father. This prevailed through so many of my relationships. I was a people pleaser and often wanted to do well by others. This isn’t necessarily a bad thing, but at the same time, it didn’t teach me the truth about love… and the unconditional condition of it. As a reminder,
“Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonour others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs.
Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.
Love never fails. But where there are prophecies, they will cease; where there are tongues, they will be stilled; where there is knowledge, it will pass away.” 1 Corinthians 13:4-8
Do we believe these truths about love?
Do we remember that it is not in what we do but in who are that The Father loves us?
Do we believe the lies that the devil cunningly tells us? “I am not good enough.” “I am not worthy.” “I have to do this in order for others to love me.” “I cannot be redeemed.” “I don’t have time to pray right now.”
We must deny these lies and spend time with Our Lord, even more so in these seasons of busy-ness. Our identity in the Lord is unchanging – He knows us thoroughly and still loves us unconditionally. Even Jesus spent time with Our Lord in his hardships. He relied on Him and did not allow the enemy or others around Him to dictate who He was.
As Joanne Gilchrist put it:
“When we spend time with Our Father, we may finally begin to feel like a daughter.
When we spend time with Our Father, we may then begin to act like a daughter.
When we spend time with Our Father, we might just end up thinking like the mind of Christ.”
I would add “when we spend time with Our Father, we may learn to see ourselves as God sees us.” Only through this, may we be able to live life to the fullest – a life He designed specifically for each of us. A life where we trust God will provide, know that He is in control, and believe in His mercy and grace.
Remember.
You are a daughter of Christ. You are Blessed. Loved. Unique. Worthy. Enough. And Chosen.
“See what great love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are! The reason the world does not know us is that it did not know him.” – 1 John 3:1