Part 1

In our society, we have a tendency to look up to idols- celebrities, athletes, philosophers, even money and fame. We believe that they have some something we don’t and yet something we wished we had. We research these idols to be more like them, i.e. buy what they wear, drink what they drink, change professions to better be aligned with our idols. And at the end of all of that, we still feel like we’re falling short trying to be like someone or something else.

We beat ourselves up when we don’t look like them, speak like them, have their success but yet, we often forget that we were never meant to BE them. In Leviticus 26:1 it says, “you shall not make for yourselves idols, nor shall you set up for yourselves an image or a sacred pillar, nor shall you place a figured stone in your land to bow down to it; for I am the LORD your God.” God goes even further in Deuteronomy to say, “for the LORD your God, who lives among you, is a jealous God. His anger will flare up against you, and he will wipe you from the face of the earth.”

Our God doesn’t want us to try to fill His place with other people and things; especially things that are just like us (sinning humans with limitations).

Who is this really coming from?

One of the biggest lies that the enemy tells is, “You were [are] a mistake.” Siblings say it, parents say it and you say it about yourself. Now, you can say your time table was different but as far as the mistake part…nothing about Gods plans are a mistake. He knew that you [or whoever] were meant to be born at that exact moment, just like He knew you would be reading this blog right now.

What about the other lies that attack who we are? You’re not talented, funny enough, as smart as, never capable of, the list goes on. Yes, we are all of our harshest critics but don’t forget about all of the great qualities that God gave you. Remember how sweet you are, how quick you are in difficult situations, your generosity, the beauty of the family you’ve been placed in? God created ALL good things, it says so in 1 Timothy 4:4, “For every creation of God is good, and nothing that is received with thanksgiving should be rejected…” Do you believe that? Don’t just assume everything is coming from God: negativity and everything surrounding it isn’t His! The God I’m referring to mapped out your life WAY before you were born, knew of the sin we would commit and decided to send his son Jesus, to die, in order for us to stay on Earth as sinners. That is the God who loves you unconditionally and accepts all your flaws! Nothing you have ever done is bad enough for God to not love and accept you. You’re His daughter [son] for cripes sake!

If you know that to be true or want to believe this, talk to God! Confess to Him and accept that Jesus did the ultimate courageous act and died for YOU!! –not bad for someone who thought they were a mistake, huh (;

Let’s talk about sin baby

When was the last time you sinned? For me, it was probably eight minutes ago when I said sh*t to the TV. Have you ever really thought about that? It’s easy to point at others and know when they sinned but how about for yourself? Most people only think about sin as homosexuals, cheating, stealing and lying.  After those, people have a easy time deciding what isn’t a sin and what is a sin based on their personal beliefs. They justify it in the moment with: I didn’t mean to do that, it was an accident, God would understand, everyone does it… This works the opposite way too. For example, what are your personal beliefs about biracial couples? Tread lightly! You then look into the Bible and pick out what you want to hear from it (and not always what the meaning was) because it may make you feel comfortable or right in your thoughts.

Instead of pointing fingers at others about how terrible they are and the level of their sin- remember John 1:8-10, “If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us.” The conclusion here is a sin, is a sin, is a sin. Homosexual. Cheater. Liar. Trash talker. Swearer. Talking bad about someone. Sin is equal in Gods eyes and regardless of the sin you, I, him, her do. The great news is we are forgiven! Praise Jesus! Just like 1 John 1:9 reconfirms, “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us [our] sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” And at the end of the day, our brothers and sisters are not our enemy! We fight our enemy each and every day as he lurks in the darkness—remember that the next time you judge so harshly the gay couple holding hands, the husband who is lying, the teen who is smoking or the Venesotan who swears at her TV! We ALL sin!! Embrace it, you human!!!

“ Be yourself; everyone else is already taken.” —Dr. Seuss

A long time ago someone said to me, “I want to be the same person in each environment- at work, church, at home with my family or out with my friends.” And I remember thinking, well who else would you be? But the older I got, the more I understand this and started to notice that I too wanted this. I would have a tough exterior in one setting but would be a soft, sensitive person in another environment. I began to question, “which is the real me?” and “why am I doing this?”

God’s word says, “Am I saying this now to win the approval of people or God? Am I trying to please people? If I were still trying to please people, I would not be Christ’s servant.”

As I reflect on my own actions, I started to notice that I wasn’t the same person, for example, at work as I was at church and that really started to bother me. I took a hard dive into finding out which persona was the actual Venesotan. And while each of them may make up who I am, only one is my true self. I decided to morph each version and let the reining Erica immerge…what a relief! Think about how much effort goes into being mad at someone, telling a lie or pretending to be tough or maybe even happy; Well the same effort goes into being a certain type of person, one that doesn’t seem to “fit” or be “natural” to who you are. Why not cut all of the crap and be the one beautiful person God created you to be? Can I get an amen?!

#acceptance #bewhoyouare #loveitordon’t #Jesusdoes #Iamone