You've Forgotten Who I Am!

Matthew 16:15: "But what about you?" he asked. "Who do you say I am?"  (NIV)

Tears streamed down my face as the Lord gently encouraged me this past weekend, saying: "Julie, you've forgotten Who I am."

It's hard to explain how God's gentle rebuke can cause an active response to repent while inspiring hope and faith...but that's exactly what happened as the Holy Spirit filled my mind with questions:

• Is Jesus just a moral compass for your life or is He the very hope and power for your existence?
• Do you really believe that He is the God of the impossible or do you just say that I believe?
• Are you willing to risk it all for the sake of His call?

Whew.

OK. Step into my world, for just a moment, as I share some thoughts. But be ready, you may discover areas you relate to...

• Is Jesus just a moral compass for my life or is He the very hope and power for my existence?

I'd like to say with 100% certainty that I live with hope and power but, quite honestly, sometimes I reduce God down to a simple moral compass...a guide for decisions between right and wrong. Don't misunderstand...Jesus' life and words should guide our decision making...but where I error is when that is all He is. If our belief doesn't stir us ever to risk or believe for the impossible, if we don't trust Him to do the amazing, if we never hear Him lead or get uncomfortable with where He is calling us...we may be missing a vital opportunity to partner with Him in winning the world. If I never share my faith with a co-worker, if I fail to make my life available to serve, if I worry and live in fear...I may have forgotten "WHO HE IS!"


Romans 8:10-11 says: "And if the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead is living in you, he who raised Christ from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through his Spirit, who lives in you." (NIV)

Let that soak in...the same Spirit that rose Christ from the grave LIVES IN YOU! He empowers us for the impossible! But...

• Do I really believe God is the God of the impossible or do I just say that I believe?

Honestly, I do believe yet times forget. I know that I am forgetting when I feel anxious and worried or I find myself fretting over silly things like finances, seats being filled at a conference, or daily tasks. I know I have forgotten WHO HE IS when I begin to feel overwhelmed or start thinking it's about my abilities, my wisdom, or my resources.

I love when God liberates me and reminds me that He is the God Who spoke the stars into existence. He is the God Who parts Red Seas. He slays giants. He brings forth life in impossible situations (Abraham and Sarah) (within Mary, a virgin girl). He feeds 5,000, 10,000, and multitudes with simple fish and loaves.

As I consider Who He is I can't help but laugh at myself...Really? Am I going to worry? Am I going to fret? Am I going to limit GOD??? Or...

• Am I willing to risk it all for the sake of His call?

 Jeremiah 29:13-14 promises us, "You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart." (NIV)


Genesis 28:15 says, "I am with you and will watch over you wherever you go, and I will bring you back to this land. I will not leave you until I have done what I have promised you." (NIV)

And yet...all of those verses invite my participation, our participation. It's as we seek...is as we go...Friend, God is faithful. He is the God of the impossible. He doesn't expect, nor does He desire us to conjure up some noble feat, He simply invites us to respond and align our life up with HIS PLAN. He invites us into a journey of faith to trust Him and believe Him to do the amazing. We don't bear the weight. It's not about us...it's all about HIM!

So, how about it. What has He called you to? What has He equipped you for? And...in your daily life, your marriage, your relationships, your finances, your job, your family....WHO DO YOU SAY HE IS???

Don't know about you...but I'm going to spend a little extra time in prayer today to allow HIM to remind me!