THINK HARD, B HONEST

Here' s a good question to sit, think long, and ponder. Be honest too! WHO AM I? This question was the last part, my dissertation requirement, and it really caused me to do some soul searching. WHO AM I? was the question posed for my dissertation to ordination as a minister and I had to really think.    Rules to this question stated that I cannot define myself by my work, my organization(s), my denomination, etc., that means that I must grapple with the very thing which has haunted me since my work injury and I became unable to work at my former position which was one that made me feel very important. It left me lost, confused & thinking, "Who am I?" and "What purpose is there in my life since I now am faced with limitations that cannot be changed?" This questions further caused me to question what purpose do people serve that are incapacitated, either physically or mentally?    This put me in quite a quandary, as the world definitely defines by title, position, power, social status, money, who you know, what strings you can pull, basically, you are only as good and valuable as what you can do or accomplish. This thought, although we buy into it as part of the "American Dream", really, if you look very closely, it smacks of the same ideology as the Nazi's'; You're only value or worth is what you can bring to society.    I thought, always have, and honestly remains, that if I were to be paralyzed from the neck down and unable to care for myself, I'd rather be dead and go to Jesus.  But what of those in this position in nursing homes, physically bound, or mentally impaired?  This would lead to the idea that their life and purpose is not valuable just because they are limited. This was a harsh wake up call because I  believe per God's word ALL LIFE is valuable and has a purpose, otherwise, God's purpose for them would be complete and they would discontinue being alive, have fulfilled their God given purpose.  Now I see differently because of my "new position".   Now that I am on that side of the fence, to an extent, I realize that God takes what the world would throw away and finds a glorious purpose for that life! I'm living a life I could NEVER have imagined and it is far better than the one the world offered me with titles, power and promotions!      WHO AM I? The only true source to view is God's. The world's view is always opposite of God's and further, the world's value of human life is non-existent by a great degree. That's why a woman can kill her unborn child since it is inconvenient to her, serves not purpose but hinders her plans, etc. The elderly are shoved into nursing homes without visitors, out of sight, out of mind. Children can be exploited for another's purpose or abuse. All of these people are not treated with value in many instances.    So, let me see what GOD, who made me, has to say about His creation...me and you. He says this in Gen 1:26 And God said, Let us make man in our image, after our likeness: and let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air and over the cattle, and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creeps upon the earth. In this one verse, I can see (1) I was deliberately planned, wanted & made. (2) I was made in God's likeness, so I resemble Him. (3) I was created with power to have dominion & authority on this earth.  This tells me GOD, my creator, gave me lots of ability & yet not one of them state a title, money, my physical inadequacies, etc. It's all positive!!    WHO AM I? God has more to say about that. In Heb 2:7 Thou made him a little lower than the angels, though crowned him with glory & honor and did set him over the works of thy hands. (1) This verse tells me I'm quite something! A little lower than the angels! (2) I'm crowned with glory (splendor/distinction) and honor (esteem, respectful regard). (3) Lastly, He must trust & believe in my abilities to set me over the works of His hands.    WHO AM I? God continues on in Psalms 139:14 I will praise thee; for I and fearfully & wonderfully made; marvelous are they work; and that my soul knows right well. (1) I, by GOD's word, am fearfully (reverence) and wonderfully (exciting wonder) made. (2) Even my soul (the spiritual, rational & immortal part in man, life, essence) knows this truth.    WHO AM I? GOD states in John 3:16 For GOD so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, the whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life. I am in this world, by GOD's design, and this verse emphatically states His overwhelming love for me. He loves me so much that (1) He gave His ONLY begotten Son. Therefore, there is great value placed upon me by God.    All statements above can be surmised in this:I (and you) am uniquely wonderfully fearfully made. Not by chance, but by the perfect thought, with fore-planning, of the highest design, with the greatest of purpose and love. I am endowed, by GOD, to have dominion over the creations of this earth and since I am created in His image, I also have the ability to create, love, think, feel, dream, hope, believe, and chose to place my will completely into His will, fully obedient, as is His Son, Jesus. I further, have eternal life, if I choose to believe in Jesus.It truly isn't what the world thinks as to whether or not you are valuable.  Just as you wouldn't take your Ford vehicle to a Chevrolet dealer because they do not know what the Ford is made of, don't take the world's opinion for who you are as the world didn't create you, God did.  He knows what you're made of, what you are made for, and what areas need work on.  Put yourself freely and willingly into the Creator's hands and let Him do as He pleases.  You will find it's a remarkable wondrous journey.  Easy? Not always.  Worth it?  ALWAYS!