How would you describe yourself?

Take a moment and describe yourself.  If you were talking to someone who had never met you how would you describe yourself? Calm, energetic, clown, full of life, organized, unorganized, optimistic, tall, short, average, fat, skinny, pretty, ugly, not good enough, fun, or any other way you would describe yourself. 

Now think of why you labeled yourself with those words.  Is it something you have dealt with for years, how you see yourself compared to others, or have you been told that you are that way?  We often describe ourselves based on how the world tells us to.  However, that is not an accurate description because you are a child of God.

"How great is the love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are!" (1 John 3:1, NIV)

We need to look at how God sees us. Keep in mind that God sent His son to die for us, so how He sees us is way more important than how the world sees us.  

Do you describe yourself based on your sin? (broken, dirty, useless, unworthy, etc)  Maybe you had a bad experience in life and feel that it defines who you are.  Maybe you have struggled with a sin, and can't forgive yourself for choices that you made.  God has forgiven you, and you need to forgive yourself.  I have made bad choices and bad decisions in the past, but if I confess my sin and God can forgive me then I should be able to forgive myself.

"If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness." (1 John 1:9 NIV)

Do you describe yourself based on the world, and how others may see you? (tall, skinny, pretty, fat, ugly, etc) We need to look to God not to man.  Man will let you down time and time again but God will not. 

"In God I trust and am not afraid. What can man do to me?" (Psalm 56:11 NIV)

Do you describe yourself based on what others have? (poor, jobless, childless, etc) Please do not miss God and your life by wanting what others have.  God has a plan for you and your life.  The plan that God has for you is specific to you, and trust that the plan is what is best for you.

"For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future".(Jeremiah 29:11 NIV)

Now look back at your list and mark through all of the labels that the world has put on you.  You are made new with God!  

Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!" (2 Corinthians 5:17 NIV)

Isn't that great news?  We do not have to worry about our past, God cleaned the slate when he sent His son to die for us.  Imagine the amount of love that God has for us that He could send His own child to die for us.  Now as you read the Bible and grow closer to God you can see new ways to describe yourself - through God's eyes.