What God Sees

It has been a great challenge to me throughout my life to see myself in a positive light.  My flaws are quite evident to me, and no doubt to those around me as well, but the more I think about my relationship with my Father, the more I realize He does not see me as I see myself.  It is important, therefore, to change my view to reflect HIS view and opinion of me so I may see the truth.

Here are some scriptures that help remind me of His viewpoint.  

• Jeremiah 31:3 says God loves me with an everlasting love. He draws me to Himself with loving-kindness. (not force, feelings of inadequacy, guilt, etc., but with sweet wooing, kindness and generosity)

• Psalm 5:12 says I am blessed by God and He surrounds me with favor as a shield. (I have often thought of his surrounding me as protection, but never noticed that His favor is a shield)

• Psalm 139:17-18 says His thoughts are precious toward me. If I could count them they would outnumber the sand! (that means He is thinking good things about me all the time--so many that I can't even begin to number them! I picture the love of my life and how many good things I think about him, then think about how puny my love is in comparison!)

• 2 Corinthians 5:21 says I am the righteousness of God in Christ.  Christ's righteousness is in me, and flowing through me: it is a part of who I am!  If I am His righteousness, I can love others as He loves me. It would be a tall order if He wasn't living within my heart, directing my paths and showering me with His love all the time! 

• Song of Songs 4:7 says that God thinks I am beautiful. He sees no flaw in me. (This is where I stumble! NO FLAW??? BEAUTIFUL??? That's what HE sees. Lord, help ME to see that, too!)

• Zephaniah 3:17 describes God's heart toward me as protective, delighting in me, calming me with his love and rejoicing over me with singing. (He is serenading me! He is so happy with me that He is humming as He thinks about me!)

These are not ways most people picture God's view of them, or there would be more wanting to know and spend time with Him!  If He sees me this way, I know He sees others this way. 

Matthew 11:28-30 in the Message says:

Are you tired? Worn out? Burned out on religion?  Come to me. Get away with me and you'll recover your life.  I'll show you how to take a real rest. Walk with me and work with me--watch how I do it.  Learn the unforced rhythms of grace.  I won't lay anything heavy or ill-fitting on you.  Keep company with me and you'll learn to live freely and lightly.

Unforced rhythms of grace. We don't have to work at this. We just need to believe it. What JOY and freedom that brings!  

God knows who you are and all you have done and He still loves you completely, unconditionally and wholly.  He sees the wounds and scars on your heart and desires to heal them and make you whole. He wants you to trust Him and rest in the knowledge that His grace is sufficient to bring you through any circumstance, and that it won't seem like a burden to be in His company. 

I pray you will learn to live freely and lightly and that you will discover how to take a real rest in Jesus.  I pray you will search His words to discover how He sees you, and once you learn how valuable you are to Him, that you will rest and draw near to His heart so He might continually bring you love, joy, and peace.