Redemption & Grace

My friend Jessica posted these thoughts on her blog yesterday. I asked her permission to reblog it on here as this speaks the exact same thing I've been pondering writing about for several weeks. Read, be encouraged, and check out Jessica's writings at http://kimiposts.blogspot.com
-Matthias

Dear Reflection,

You’re looking kinda red again. Running two miles at an overly zealous pace to get rid of excess emotion isn’t always the best plan. Well, maybe it was. You’re making me laugh right now at least. =)

But Jess, just so you know, it’s okay to stop sometimes. You don’t have to save the world. You don't have to fight the labels given to you—just be His. He is Savior & King. People can put any title they want on you (good and bad), but it does not change that your real identity is just Jesus.

Forget selfish pride. Look at you, reflection—I’m laughing again. You are pretty unlovely in any sense, and it is pretty easy for people to label the things they don’t understand. That’s okay!!! They are right—you ARE a sinner.

Just remember this—“and while you were yet dead in your sins, Christ died for your sins to demonstrate His love towards you.” (Romans 5:8)

Grace. It does not depend on what you can offer; it just stands. God’s grace says, “welcome home.” Enjoy His embrace.

So wrapped in an embrace like that, how can you do anything BUT choose to live fully? Oh.... I wish I could make you see HOW overwhelming the JOY and LOVE are. Where did we lose the ability to delight? (maybe that's why I like my roadtrip adventures =)

Therefore, I’m turning away from the mirror right now, and instead I’m writing to you readers for the rest of this post.

While I was out running, I started praying for each person reading this blog. Even though I’m kinda writing these posts to my reflection, I am hoping that people will see the truth of a beautiful Jesus reflecting through a broken Jessica.

I’ve written a lot about my struggle with feeling judged, but I know we all struggle with the fear of rejection, so here are some of the truths I was praying through for you, because they are things that have changed my life. ….and yes, I mean every word of this for every one of you who reads this.

You are accepted because you are loved unconditionally by Him.
You are accepted because He desires your heart.
You are accepted because He wants you to live the BEST of His plan (not good or better, but best)
You are accepted because life would not be as sweet without you.
You are accepted because grace covers ALL of your life and makes you whole.
You are accepted because you have an important story.
You are accepted because in His eyes you are of the highest worth.

Because you are accepted, you can still hold to Him even when others have walked away and the hurt doesn't make any sense.
Because you are accepted, you can live with great joy.
Because you are accepted, you can forgive and then continue to live as He intended.
Because you are accepted, you can walk without shame.
Because you are accepted, you can remain secure in your identity.
Because you are accepted, you can always know you have a safe refuge..
Because you are accepted, you can lose everything to find how sweet He is.

The truths of why you are accepted do not change. However, the second set of statements all have that conditional word in there: you “can”. It is a choice. Do you believe truth? If so, live.

You will find you have to come closer to the heart of God in order to experience the full power of these statements. Do you love Him in return? How much? What does it look like? even if it is little changes and little moments of delight...

For once… just live as His. Lay aside theology, tradition, and time-consuming debates for a moment. You were intended to know the fullness of the joy of His salvation. Live.

Grace to each of you. With sincere love, ~Jessica Kimi

Rule #6: As a sinner redeemed, lavishly extend the same grace & love you received without condition.