“And by that will, we have been made holy through the sacrifice of the body of Jesus Christ once and for all.”

Hebrews 10:10

This new season in my life has become very strange. For the first time in a very long while, I have a direction about where my life is headed. I know it sounds odd, but I have a better idea of what the destination is starting to look like. If you’ve been reading for a while now (thanks!) you know that I have often struggled about the future because it seems like there was no end in sight. It’s not just something I struggle with, but one that many have to face. We are told at young ages to have our lives planned out, but when things don’t go as planned, we freak. We ask ourselves questions as to why this happens, and then we start to look at ourselves. We don’t look at the good about us or the opportunity God can bring, we often turn inward and start to believe that there is something wrong with us. We start to look at the success of others, the nice job, the young couple who just got married, that cool guy who travels the world on social media; it’s easy to look at others and feel like we aren’t worthy. The truth is, we are made worthy.

Each of us has been made worthy. No matter our past or the negative thoughts we hold onto, we have been made worthy. We have been made worthy because of one choice, one moment. The moment where Jesus dies on the cross for us, to take on our shame and sin and make us whole again. By the blood, we have been made whole, but we have forgotten this truth. We forget the power of the gospel and live like we are meaningless. I know this because for so long I forgot the truth. I forgot that there is a God who made me in his image, and who loved me so much he died for me. I lost sight of the reasons for my desire to empower leaders and reach the next generation, but when I remembered who I was, my life was given direction once again. God wants you to step into who you were created to be.

Claim your name.

You have been created in the image of God, and because of that you have a name. You are a son and daughter of the creator. You are worthy. You have to claim that as part of your very being, the core of who you are has been made new by the blood of the cross. In every story of a hero, there is a moment. There is a moment where the hero must fully step into their calling, their identity. I love the newest Star-Wars movie because of this. In, Rogue One, we have a band of heroes. A group of misfits, who have all made mistakes, fought for the enemy, and feel small in a great galaxy. There is a moment where they realize they are the only ones who can give the rebellion a chance, and against all odds, they choose to fight. They choose to use their skills to make a difference, they claim their name as the rogue-one call sign, and enter the enemy territory. In the end, they realize that they will die, but they are dying for a greater cause, each of them from different walks of life, race, sex (even a robot), and social status. Isn’t that such a beautiful story, but the reason it’s beautiful is because it mirrors the walk we must go through. We have a greater purpose and we have a name, one that God calls each of us. We are a child, and we must claim that name.

Freedom in forgiveness.

One of the hardest things that I see, is the fact that some feel like they are too broken to be used. God uses the broken. The bible is filled with broken people, but the broken stepped into forgiveness and experienced freedom. The same is true for each of us. We all make mistakes, that’s what sin is, but by the cross we have forgiveness, and we can enter into freedom. God is using me, and trust me, I’ve made mistakes and hurt people. I’m not proud of it, but God gives freedom through forgiveness. No matter what you have done or what people have done to you, live into the freedom that comes with forgiveness. God used murderers, prostitutes, and social outcasts to bring heaven down to earth. God wants to use you. When you don’t feel worthy, God calls you the worthiest. He will heal your brokenness. He will make you new. He has a purpose for you. There is freedom in his forgiveness.

I hope you know that you are made worthy, you are a child of God and so worth loving. No matter your past, either the mistakes you’ve made or the cruel things that were done to you. Maybe you struggle with the words people have spoken over you, maybe you have been dealing with suicidal thoughts, maybe you have been sexually assaulted or raped, or maybe you have been struggling with a secret addiction. I want you to know that God loves you. No matter what. He wants you to experience freedom from those things, you are not tainted, you are made worthy. By the blood of the cross you are worthy. God loves you so much that he sent his son to die and rise again to give you hope, you can experience new life in him, because you have been made worthy. You are worthy.

Live in victory, because God has made you worthy. You are so worth loving.

-Joshua Thomas

 

Authors Note: If you are experiencing domestic abuse, physical or verbal, please call 1-800-656-463. If you are experiencing thoughts of suicide, please call 1-800-273-8255. There is always help, no matter what. You are loved.