“They are no more defined by the world, than I am defined by the world. Make them Holy---consecrated---with the truth; Your Word is consecrating truth. In the same way that You gave Me a mission in the world, I give them a mission in the world. I am consecrating Myself for their sakes-So they will be truth consecrated in their mission." John 17:17-19 The Message
What will define your life experiences today? Jesus prayed to His Father that our lives would no longer be defined by the world. I remember my life before-it definitely was defined by the world. As such, my life just kind of blended in with whatever worldly crowd or expression I was into at the moment. The pop culture defined me. In the early 70's, right before I gave my life to Jesus-I was a street hippie. Not distinct, just one of that crowd-wandering around the country in a constant drug induced “fog”, with no distinct definition or purpose.
Since I’ve been a devoted follower of Jesus, whatever He (Jesus) has to say about me is what gives my life definition. Today, I will be defined by God's opinion about me. I will not be defined by the old, self-disgusting voices in my head. I will be Holy (set apart-distinct) by His truth about me. I will be consecrated in and with that truth.
I will have and share in an awesome mission in the world today with my special Jesus definition. Truth, real and pure truth, is whatever He has to say about any and everything! Well, what is He saying about you and me today? Here is a glimpse into His opinion: beloved, child and son or daughter of God, forgiven, not ashamed, redeemed, gifted, empowered...you add some more!
You and I have a high and Holy mission in the world today. We are not brought down to the level of being defined by the world-no more than Jesus is defined by the world. His definition of us elevates our daily life to the heights of embracing our divine destiny!
“So here is what I want you to do, God helping you: Take your everyday, ordinary life—your sleeping, eating, going-to-work, and walking around life—and place it before God as an offering. Embracing what God does for you is the best thing you can do for him.
Don’t become so well adjusted to your culture that you fit in to it without even thinking. Instead, fix your attention on God (and His definition of you). You’ll be changed from the inside out. Readily recognize what he wants from you, and quickly respond to it. Unlike the culture around you, always dragging you down to its level of immaturity, God (primarily by way of his definition of you) brings the best out of you, develops well formed maturity in you.” Romans 12:1-2, The Message, emphases and parenthesis mine.
We are defined, moment by moment, by the opinion of Almighty Heavenly Father! We are not defined by the world, pop culture, our behavior or performance. Think on His definition of you today and be nurtured by the truth.
In the continuous grip of Papa’s gracious assessment, Ron Ross
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