I recently had a conversation with a friend who doesn’t believe in God. We discussed back and forth our differing opinions and I came to understand his viewpoint came from others pinpointing sin and all the things he shouldn’t do that displeased God. He also felt pressure that he should believe without question. His also has had numerous experiences with “Christians” who were judgmental, dishonest and harsh.
I realized he wasn’t my only friend who felt this way. I wondered how often we tell others they should believe in God rather than God believes in them. How often we claim our Christianity but remain critical of those around us. As Christians we know God loves us but is this how we portray God to the world? Do we focus more on what we have to do for God? Do we give others a feeling they will never measure up? Would it change others view of God if we shared more about how He believes in us rather than how we should believe in Him?
There is a beautiful new song, You Say, by Lauren Daigle which reminds me of God’s love and acceptance. It reminds me that I am His creation and in Him I find hope. Some of the lyrics:
I keep fighting voices in my mind that say I’m not enough
Every single lie that tells me I will never measure up
Am I more than just the sum of every high and every low?
Remind me once again just who I am, because I need to know
You say I am loved when I can’t feel a thing
You say I am strong when I think I am weak
You say I am held when I am falling short
When I don’t belong, oh You say that I am Yours
And I believe, oh I believe What You say of me I believe
The only thing that matters now is everything You think of me
In You I find my worth, in You I find my identity,
Taking all I have and now I’m laying it at Your feet
You have every failure God, and You’ll have every victory
What strength it gives to know that God believes in us. What power it gives us to know God has faith in us. What hope it gives to know that we belong to God.
Prayer: Dear God, let us show others love when they don’t feel a thing, encourage others when they think they are failing and lift them up when they feel weak. Help us to remember that it is through us that people see Your face. Amen.
Julie Robinson, Executive Director Studio 222
