Do you know who you are? I’m not talking about on a superficial level but inside your being, the part that makes you—you; inside the chambers where your soul resides. Not who you would like to be, or who you want people to think you are, but who you indeed are. For instance, are you a loving person full of compassion? Or are you self-absorbed full of bitterness? Or perhaps you fall somewhere in the middle, depending on the circumstances and whose involved.
How judgmental or sensitive are you when people you don’t like or even know are going through some of the roughest times in their lives? Do you offer mercy or quick-to-snap conviction? How do you react under pressure when doing the right thing has a hefty price tag on your well-being? The answers to those questions ought to give you a clue who you are. Whichever category you might place yourself in, you will be tested—just to make sure.
Peter, a disciple, assumed he knew himself until he was tested on the day Jesus was arrested. Peter told Jesus that he would never renounce Him. Despite the fact, Jesus told Peter that he would deny Him three times that very evening. Of course, Jesus was right; when pressured, Peter denied knowing Him when that association put his own life in jeopardy.
And Peter remembered the word of Jesus, which said unto him, Before the cock crow, thou shalt deny me thrice. And he went out, and wept bitterly (Matthew 26:75).
I believe God is giving us a crash course by allowing all these ongoing disasters to come upon the earth so we can see our true nature. There’s nothing like a death-grip—to squeeze what’s in us out.
Are we who we think we are?
Some people who considered themselves unfriendly and uncaring might be pleasantly surprised to find out they’re the ones people can count on in time of trouble. But, on the other hand, some who think of themselves as loving and caring might fail the test when hard times hit people they don’t particularly like; therefore, refusing to show any kindheartedness.
Our test is to love those we don’t even like—NO one is exempt.
With eyes and ears of faith, pay attention. God has His reasons for all the unrest that’s happening in the world. Have you noticed the solution to all the turmoil we’re facing depends on how well we cooperate and treat one another? Nothing is by chance—or coincidental. These events are perfectly scripted with us in mind for such a time as this. The Lord already knows us, but He wants us to know who we are.
How well do you know—you?
© 2021
See you next time on Paulette Talks Faith.