Who Are You?

I have an older brother.  He has more hair than I do, but less notches available on his belt.  We are only 14 months apart in age.

Because my brother and I were so close in age...and, of course, since we share the same parents, (see definition of brother), we often were mistaken for twins.  I cannot fully understand this because I am so good looking and physically fit and he is...well...not.  I recall time when we as kids would be walking down the halls of our elementary school and people would look at us, point and stare, while saying..."Hey, look at those twins"...as if we were some circus side show...perhaps it's because we were always dashing out the door in the morning at the last minute to catch the bus and didn't have time to do anything with our hair...yes...there was a time when hair existed on my head...in fact, I had hair all the way through elementary school.

As we grew older, it was not uncommon to have these events of mistaken identity continue...

ON one such occasion, I recall walking through the Fergus Falls Fleet Farm, where my brother worked at the time.  A coach from one of our rivalry high school wrestling teams approached me and mistook me for my brother, (who had already graduated high school...though I had not)...this coach began to tell me how his wrestler is going to beat my brother (remember...that's me...the brother), and consequently our wrestling team.  Rather than correct him and reveal my identity, I took the opportunity to engage in the conversation and exaggerate my own abilities..."What are you nuts?...my brother (again...me), is unstoppable...he just put up 250lbs. on the bench press last week and he is eating raw chicken eggs, spinach, and rocks for breakfast...he is goin to destroy anyone you put on the mat"...the coach walked away looking at me oddly.

If we were to be totally honest...I think each one of us has either, been mistaken for someone else at some time...or mistaken someone for being someone else.  In fact, I bet there are times when we would rather be...or at the very least, like to pretend, that we are someone other than ourselves.  I believe that sometimes our past, rears its ugly head, and tears us down again and again, telling us we are not worth anything...especially God's love.

Ephesians 1:4-5 says otherwise.  "For he chose us in him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in his sight.  In love, he predestined us for adoption to sonship through Jesus Christ, in accordance with his pleasure and will-"

Do you see that?  He chose us! In Love! Adoption to the family of Christ! With Pleasure!

Each one of us has value...not because of how much money we make, or give, or what clothes we wear...or don't wear...(that could be awkward)...or what talents we have, or how we serve the church, or even how we love people...

Simply put...you have value...because God says you do...

Perhaps we need to take a closer look at "Who we are?"

I challenge you to take some time and read, Eph. 1:3-18, and Romans 8:22-27 and reflect on what god says about you...let it permeate...let it sink in...let it affect the very core of your heart.