Have you ever sat down and asked yourself this question….who am I? Not necessarily the ‘who am I, why am I here’ question, but who is the real me.
A couple friends and I were talking recently and we got on this subject. We were asking each other who truly knows us, the real us.
Most of us really aren’t known by those whom we have a casual relationship, and really, most of us aren’t deeply and truly known by those few people we consider close, intimate friends.
We are good at putting on the proper mask to hide the real us when we are around others. I do it, you do it, pretty much all of us do it. There is something down within us that feels if people knew the real us, they wouldn’t like us or accept us. I’m not sure why that is, other than a natural feeling from way back when Adam and Eve tried to hide from God.
Fortunately, our Father isn’t like that. He truly loves us. Even if we aren’t completely open with Him, He knows more about us than we know ourselves….and He still loves us.
If we could just get to the point to not worry about what everyone else thinks about us and know we are loved by God no matter what, I think our relationships with each other would actually improve. We could be ourselves, open and honest, and not store up all the frustrations, questions, lonely feelings and junk we all think.
If each of us could be more like our Father and love each other no matter what, our fellowship together would be so much better. No more putting on masks, no more covering up things we don’t want others to know.
Now truthfully, if that will ever happen this side of heaven, I don’t know, but it certainly is a goal to shoot for. I am so thankful we have a Father who loves us no matter what. We don’t need to put on a mask and hide our true self from Him. He knows us and loves us just as we are. Now, if we could just be the same with each other.
Done with Religion 
Yes. I agree with that for sure. Thanks for commenting.
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I agree that the Father knows us better than we know ourselves, and I would say further that the Father understands us better than we know ourselves.
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Thanks for posting this Susanne. I appreciate you taking the time to do so.
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Thank you Michael for posting this story. I appreciate it. Hope you are doing good.
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As I read your post and Susanne’s comment, I was reminded of something that happened that was very personal as I chatted with a sister. I had just gone off to her on how I hated ecclesiastical overlords in the church system. Then she said the most curious thing to me, “Michael, who am I?” In that moment it ceased to be my sister in Christ talking and it was Jesus asking me this question.
Jesus said to the disciples, “Who do men say that I am?” The answered, “Some say you are so-n-so and others thus-n-thus.” (ad-libbing here). Then Jesus asked, “Who do YOU say that I am?” Well, that was what He was asking me in that moment!!! “Michael, who am I?” I immediately filled in the blanks, What He was really saying to me as HIS marvelous light flooded my soul in that instant was, “Michael, is my arm short? Was I not able to save you from being a right-wing activist? Did I not save thousands of hippies from drug abuse in the 70’s and you witnessed it with your own eyes?” I said, “Yes, Lord you did by your sovereign act of love and power.” “Then, Michael, am I not able to save pastors who abuse my flock??? And while we are at it, Michael, you hate homosexuals because you were attacked by one once. Michael, is my arm too short to save them as well?” I said, “No, Lord, your arm is not short and YOU are able to save all and are not willing that any man should perish.” He replied, “Then Michael, let go of your wounds and anger and let me use you to reach out even to these people who you have hated.”
Well, I saw it so clearly with the help of this sister that I repented immediately! God wants to be free of all sin and judgement in our hearts because of sin. Sure we will get angry when attacked or abused, But we can “be angry and sin not…” if we don’t let the anger simmer in our hearts and become a festering wound… Paul went on to say, “Don’t let the sun go down on your wrath.” This is the key. Jesus put it this way…
“You have heard that it has been said, You shall love your neighbor, and hate your enemy. But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them who despitefully use you, and persecute you; That you may be the children of your Father who is in heaven: for he makes his sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust.” (Matthew 5:43-45 KJ2000)
THAT WE MIGHT BE CHILDREN OF OUR FATHER WHO IS IN HEAVEN!!! God has called us to walk in the love of His Son for all mankind. It is in this surrendered act that He will flood you hearts with love or all.It is here that we will enter into the relationship that Jesus has with the Father as God’s sons and daughters.
“Father, heal us of our wounds and make us instruments of your healing and forgiveness as you reach out through us to those who are lost. Open our eyes to see then as YOU see them, Father, and fill us with your love for each of them! Amen.”
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“Now truthfully, if that will ever happen this side of heaven, I don’t know…”
It already happens, Michael. But I admit that it is not that easy to open my heart to someone as much as I do it in our Father’s presence and in Christ’s. Nonetheless, if we do not give up on seeking TRUE spiritual fellowship with one another, God will bless us – more and more – by pouring His love into our hearts, so that we will be able to love one another as He loves us.
Miracles still happen… Promise! 😉
Thank you for another insightful posting!
Much love,
Susanne
Every blessing to you and yours!
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