Our old sinful selves were crucified with Christ so that sin might lose its power in our lives.
We are no longer slaves to sin.
For when we died with Christ we were set free from the power of sin.
Romans 6:6,7
NLT
I've been swimming since Sunday in the warm waters of Romans, chapter six. Dave Lomas, a friend of John Mark's preached a breath-taking message on what it means to be in Christ. One phrase has taken hold of my mind and just won't let go. He said,
Be who you are.
And by that he wasn't referring to 1990's pop-culture ads. He wasn't talking about individuality or giftedness or feel-good-about-yourself best sellers. He was talking about our identity- who I am.
Am I Diane, wife of Phil?
Or Diane, mother of John Mark? and Rebekah? and Elizabeth? and Matthew? Amma to five kids who love me because I never say no?
Am I Diane, writer of a blog, teacher of women? Or am I Diane, cleaner of my house, cooker of meals, walker of my dog, Jackson?
Who am I really?
And this morning it dawns on me that first and foremost I have chosen to be a slave of God. That is who I am- on purpose.
But now you are free from the power of sin and have become slaves of God.
Romans 6:22
NLT
So why in the world do I worry? Written in my journal this morning are these words:
It strikes me this morning that all my tense worrying is ridiculous! Why would a slave worry? Or strive? Or fuss about not doing it good enough and now-no-one-will-want-to-read-it-and-oh-dear-I-don't-know-how-to-do-this...
After all, as a slave of the Most High God, all I really need to do is check in with Him and make sure I'm doing what He wants. I don't have to be perfect- I'm a slave. I don't have to hurry- my Master is kind. I don't even have to prove myself- He liked me enough to buy me with His blood.
And that's why worrying is ridiculous. Because the truth about why I worry is this: I worry because I forget who I am.
I am accepted. Romans 8:1
I am loved. Romans 8:35-37
I am enough. Romans 8:15-17
I am forgiven. Romans 8:3
I am sought. Romans 8:30
I am free. Romans 8:2
I am His. Romans 8:33
And so this morning I've rolled all my worries on my Master. I've let go control and asked Him for a chore list: What do You want me to do? Say? Write?
I'm reveling in this rest that comes from letting Him lead me. Wondering why I keep slipping back into the old worrying-way. And I'm writing it down so I remember and so you remember... that all you and I really need to do is...
Be who you are.
From my heart,
Diane
repost from march 2013
I know I'm not the only worrying, fretting woman... how about you? What are you worried about? Dare you write it down and give it up? Dare you be who you really are? I'd love to know if you'd be willing to leave a comment.