That girl has it together.
She has what counts.
She speaks, and people listen.
She lights the room.
And blesses so many.
Who am I?
That girl, she is special.
She must be God’s favorite.
She must be the apple of his eye.
He really loves her.
Who am I?
Look how he blessed her.
Who am I?
Who am I if God doesn’t show me that I am worth something?
Who am I if God doesn’t push me a little bit further ahead than her?
Do I still count?
Sometimes, we look at our faith walk, like a race of worth. Sometimes we look at our blessings as medals of accomplishments.
It only looks like we are winning when we are not losing.
Do you ever feel this way?
Imagine for a moment, if the disciples had let this kind of thinking creep in.
If Peter looked at John to say,
“If you are beloved, I am not loved.”
If Elizabeth looked at Mary to say,
“You birthed Jesus, my womb is now worthless.”
If Jesus turned to his father to say,
“You reign higher, my lowly position has no place.”
How would Christianity look today?
Might living this way send us down a similar road as Satan? A road of orphanhood?
I praise God that these movers and shakers of faith didn’t move away and shake frozen in their boots – as God chose to bless some and not others.
Sure, the disciples had their moments, “A dispute also arose among them as to which of them was considered to be greatest.” Lu. 22:24
I have these moments too. I have moments where I want that girl’s stuff so badly. But, I am realizing that my needy declarations are, more than often than not, just proud questions demanding his marks of approval.
Questions like: “God do you love me? Do you count me worthy enough to bless me too? Why are you forgetting me and exalting her?”
I kind of want to be God’s favorite loved child. Do you?
I kind of want to finally secure my place in his eyes. I want people to think, “that’s the girl God blesses.”
I am prone to think my blessings count me worthy,
but God says – and always says –
my son has already marked you approved.
He was marked, to forever mark me – loved.
He has saved us and called us to a holy life–not because of anything we have done but because of his own purpose and grace. This grace was given us in Christ Jesus before the beginning of time 2 Tim. 1:9
God pursues our holiness, many times, on our behalf; he knows what is best for our heart, our needs and our spiritual development.
He looks at his gifts to us, much like we look at ones for our children, likely asking,
“Will it delight them or spoil them?”
“‘My son,’ the father said, ‘you are always with me, and everything I have is yours. Lu. 15:31
He is less concerned with the everyday, all the time blessings because he knows, everything he has is already ours.
He is not so much interested in playing into our insecurities, he is interested in healing them.
I wonder, do we realize, just like the lost son at home with his father,
that we aren’t missing out on anything?
That the whole time, even though a brother strayed and was blessed,
we already had everything we needed to begin with?
Jesus never sets a value on one child over another.
All the same, all the time, equally adored, accepted and loved, he waits with arms wide open for: the losers, the winners, the victorious, the downtrodden, the proud, the humble, the rich, the poor, the sinful and the less sinful, the loved and the unloved.
He doesn’t have super-pipes of one-directional love. His love flows unhindered, ungated, unrestricted, all the time, into all the hearts that need his love, his gifts, his blessings and his perfect ways.
We are all worthy, every moment of every day, because Jesus Christ was crucified, covered, guarded, uncontained, glorified and magnified.
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Kelly- This truly speaks to my heart today. So often, the enemy convinces me that I’m missing out- that someone else has the only treasure that I want. But I’m going to copy these words in my journal for such a time… “I wonder, do we realize, just like the lost son at home with his father, that we aren’t missing out on anything? That the whole time, even though a brother strayed and was blessed,everything was always already ours?”
Everything is already ours. Thank you for the encouraging reminder – Blessings~
You bet Karen. I delight in knowing it spoke to your heart. We have so much; may we see all our riches today!
YES! We are all worthy and I can never hear this enough because even on the days I feel like I have it all together, I may still hear a faint voice saying “No you don’t”. God shows me often and reminds me through words like these that He created me uniquely and gifted me with gifts that were chosen just for me. I am a one of a kind and I need to embrace that, praise God for it and allow myself to be me. Thank you Kelly!
We are so worthy! We can’t speak it to ourself enough. We just can’t. God just deeply loves us. So deeply. I worship him this morning with you Mary!
I want to know and trust in my heart – not just my head, like John did, I am the one Jesus loved. It is a proud thing to think and say/write.
I bought a bumper sticker that read, “Jesus loves you, but I’m His favorite”
It’s funny but hits home deep in my soul.
Oh, I praise God that it spoke in. How wonderful that is. These are words meant for your heart and soul LC.
[…] I’m linking up this week with Kelly Balarie at Purposeful Faith, Jennifer Dukes Lee at #TellHisStory and Holley Gerth at Coffee for Your […]
I was just studying this story the other day of the two brothers vying for a place of honor! I love it when God confirms things in our hearts through someone else:) This is a great post to read as we prepare for our conference. We SO need to keep these things in mind and our focus in the right place. Great job! See you at breakfast in just a few days!
Let’s keep this front and center at She Speaks. I will be reminding myself, I just know.
And I thank God! He loves each one of us. Uniquely.
And I have always wanted “gold stars” from God. Remember getting those in school? I wanted to be the one who got them from my Father, too! Silly, yet so true…
Richer, deeper, fuller, more expressive = your words continue to grow. Thank you. God has richly blessed you with the ability to express HIS love for HIS kids.
How right you are Susan. We want those stars, don’t we. We plead and we pine for them. Your words bless me in deep places. I feel so excited to be used by God to love. There is nothing better.
Wow. I feel as if you are in front of me preaching. That was so good. And what I needed. Thank you.
[…] Linking with Holly’s Testimony Tuesday, Kelly’s RaRa Linkup […]
Thanks Kelly for always encourage my heart. Blessings.
Tayrina
http://www.atinymixof.com
If only I could let this sink into my heart…God loves me just as I am. So thankful for your words today, Kelly.
God, send it deep. Deep to the core. We pray.
Competition and comparison kill our spirits, don’t they? That’s what’s SO amazing about God. With His boundless love, we can ALL be His favorites. Our hearts need the message you’re sharing here. 🙂
We do need this. We need Jesus to rescue our hearts from ourself. Amen Betsy.
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Thanks for this. And for that reminder of the prodigal. Also the part about God weighing whether giving something to us is the best thing for us, just like we do with our children. I struggle with feelings of inferiority, and there is no blessing in comparison.
We are each loved infinitely by our good God!
Blessings, and thanks for the link up again!
He loves us so much, he only wants to give us the best.
Love how you share your heart, Kelly. Keep shining transparent! Blessings and hugs. #RaRaLinkup
Thank you Sheila.
Praise God we are all loved children of the kingdom! There are days where it seems someone may have better things than us or seem to have an easier life, but that is the deception. Thanks for sharing this great post, and for hosting the link up. Blessings 🙂
It is deception Kelly. Great point!
“He was marked, to forever mark me–loved.” Yes! I love that, Kelly! Thank you for your post–challenging and full of love at the same time.
Your welcome Stephanie. Thank you for reading this.
I read the other day, “A candle that uses its flame to light another candle does not lose its flame.” This trap of comparison the devil holds us in is so powerful and so threatening to the purpose of God’s people. Thank you for exposing it to light that he may lose his power over those God chooses to use to further his kingdom!
Love that. Let’s put out his power.
Wow Kelly! Not surprised but always blessed by how your words just touch to the heart of where God is working. Love you so much and I appreciate you beyond words. We are going through a real rough time at work which has caused me to just be in a spin of doubt for the last eight months. God has used your words as a balm to my soul.
I especially loved this: “I am prone to think my blessings count me worthy, but God says – and always says – my son has already marked you approved.”
Thank you so much!
Thank you Kelly. I am so sorry to hear about your work issues. That can be so hard. I am praying for you right now.
Thank you so much. 🙂
Thank you Kelly!
So grateful that our value and worth is in the hands of a God who sees us as precious and chosen. Yes, it is just more encouragement to set aside comparison and approval and fix my eyes on His – on the way He sees me.
It is in his hands. May we just walk, eyes locked and hearts attached to his purpose.
It is Tiffany! He has us so tightly in his hands and in his will.
My son has already marked you approved, AMEN!!! Yes. Yes. Yes. I’ll just leave my comment at that today:)
I praise God for the marks, may we always see them. Thank you Meg.
I love that we serve a God who doesn’t play favorites! He loves you just as much as he loves me. How blessed are we!
We are! He has us Lauren!
“We are all worthy, every moment of every day, because Jesus Christ was crucified, covered, guarded, uncontained, glorified and magnified.” A wonderful truth, Kelly! Thank you for being so faithful each week to encourage and build up the other #raralinkup sisters! Blessings to you!
Amen Gayl! Cheering Jesus with you.
Kelly,
I loved this … from the bottom of my heart. It really tied in with what I wrote this week (which, btw, really surprised me with the emotional effect it had on me). It’s all about approval which, for me, then boils down to feeling inadequate. I know that I know that I know that God loves me and calls me wonderful, but it is so FANTASTIC when He reminds me through someone else! Like you, today!
BTW, I’m super jealous about everyone going to SheSpeaks 😉 I went two years ago as a surprise trip from my husband. I knew no one. Met some lovely ladies, but it would be so fun to meet you and all the girls there this year. I’ll be praying for you all!!
Blessings and smiles,
Lori
Thank you Lori. We will SO miss you at She Speaks. Let’s hope you can get there again. Thank you for praying for us and for your words.
Your words and encouragement are always so incredibly applicable to my life, Kelly! I’ve been really struggling with comparison to other blogs lately. It can quickly get ridiculously out of control :). Thanks for this beautiful and much needed reminder. I hope you have a wonderful time at She Speaks!
Thank you Candace. I love that they are making a difference to you. Thank you for being so awesome and a fabulous cheerleader of me and of others.
Amazing that our thoughts went down a similar path of favorites. I love that you mentioned even though we don’t look as blessed as others, it doesn’t mean we are not important in the body of Christ. Thanks for sharing.
[…] Kneel down. Get low. And serve someone. Take a huge risk to help someone and trust God for the details. Be willing to risk your time, resources, and emotions. Cheer them on! […]
[…] Where Are My Blessings, God? […]
I been praying for a saved husband and still is but I h eared a holy spirit saying that he still coming and a family and I want a family and to have twins daughters I am33 years old but my mom stay with me I hope my Mother is not blocking my blessing she draws every day and never stops she lives with me but I do believe s in God and I put all m y trust Faith in him I believe in my heart and I want my blessing to come before GOD comes back and I want to be rich and have a new 3 bed room home and a new car and I praying for twelve million dollars in my bank account I prayed so hard I clam it in Jesus name but I wanted to be bless with a wedding and a ride to get two the wedding I want to have a happy life just me and my saved filled Holy Ghost saved husband and to have twins daughters that want now in Jesus name I clam, it and believe it please pray for me know and let me know what he says email me I be waitti9ng on your text Renee Senior
and pray for my friend Faith that she get a new car this year and a new place and for her kids to live in Jesus name and pray for me that God send the righteous husband to my life and a new home and a new and I pass all of driver test this year in Jesus name Renee