The Challenge

I'm a child of God by grace and grace alone - Dustin Kensrue

Today someone challenged me to figure out who I want to be and what I want to be known for and then to present myself in a way that will cause people to view me in that way. I’m sure I’ve been challenged with this many times over my teen years and now being well into my college life I’m sure I’ll hear it many more times.

But for some reason it struck me today.

The conversation between said challenger (henceforth known as “the challenger”), myself (henceforth known as any tense of “I” or “me”), and a close friend (henceforth known as “my friend”) continued. I honestly don’t even remember how the conversation started, but I do know that we got to this challenge after my friend mentioned that she doesn’t want to be known as just "the babysitter." She gave the example of how she’d gone to an event as a guest, and was asked if she was there to babysit. It feels like something that is simply expected of her now. My friend and I are in this boat together. Between the two of us, I’m sure we’ve babysat for 234739.5 hours [collectively] this year, give or take a few minutes (I am of course exaggerating, but it sure does feel like it sometimes). *DISCLAIMER: We both adore children and enjoy being with them and love serving however we can. We just have our gripes as everyone does at times.* Anyways the conversation continued with the challenger telling my friend she is of course more than just that, and that it is up to her to decide what she wants to be known as/for and present herself in that way. Put forth the image she wants people to see. The challenger encouraged her, complimented her, and exhorted her towards change.

This conversation has been rolling around in my head all day. I’ll be honest, my default, sinful nature reaction was to be upset and jealous over how the challenger had complimented her and encouraged her, but not me. This feeling dissolved throughout the day as I realized it doesn’t matter, the words still applied to me and the challenge was an open challenge, there for anyone willing to accept it.

Next, my response was still self-centred (surprised? Don’t be). I immediately thought about all the things I’d like to be known for: being a great writer, being a good student, being a talented singer, being funny, etc. My list was cut off pretty quickly when I realized I had the wrong focus. I wanted to be known for how great I am or how cool I am. Trouble is, I’m neither great nor cool.

So then I had to think about what it is that I am. Because what I am is what I should be known for, right? 

Well, one thing I know for sure is that I am a sinner. Romans 3:23 tells me that “all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.” So does that mean I want to be known for being a sinner? Absolutely. Because that’s only half of what I am. And without that first half, the second half would be much less meaningful, much less important, and much less beautiful. The second half, another thing I know for sure, is that I am saved by grace through faith (Ephesians 2:8). This passage in Ephesians (chapter 2 vv. 4-8) talks about how God made us alive together with Christ, because of the “great love with which he loved us” (v.4). It also talks about the fact that God shows us the “immeasurable riches of his grace in kindness” (v.7) through Jesus. If I didn’t recognize that I am a sinner, I also wouldn’t recognize the beauty of the immeasurable riches of his grace.

So, I’m a sinner saved by grace through faith (Ephesians 2:8). I am a child of God and I am a co-heir with Christ (Romans 8:16-17). This is true. This is mind-boggling. This is beautiful. This is what I am.

If that is what I am, then what exactly is it I want to be known for? That’s easy. I want to be known as a follower of God. A woman of God. Someone who loves God with all my heart, soul, and mind (Matthew 22:37). Someone who loves people (Matthew 22:39). A woman who serves without complaint. A person who speaks kind words that build others up. If someone asked me “What do you want people to see when they look at you?” My answer is and will always be “Jesus.” I want people to see Jesus when they see me and the way I live my life.

So whether I am known for being a great writer or simply as the girl who babysits, as long as I am known for doing it in Jesus’ name and for God’s glory, that’s okay with me. Even if that means 234739.5 hours of babysitting. 

P.S. I wanted to mention that after I wrote and re-read this post a couple times, I realized that it matters more who God is rather than who I am. But that is many other posts for many other times. 

P.P.S. The challenger wants people to look at them and see a talking bible. So that's what I will always see now.