Does God Really Like Me?预览

Do I Matter to God?

Whether we know it or not, we are constantly trying to figure out whether our life really matters. We often answer it by looking at three things: what we do, what we have, and what people think of us.

If I get a lot done, then I am significant. If I have lots of stuff, then I’m safe and secure. If people really like me, then they’ll keep me around.

But each of these ways of finding our identity leads us deeper into anxiety. 

If who we are is based on what we do, what we have, or what people think of us, then we are constantly producing, possessing, and pleasing. 

But Jesus shows us a different way. He never confused His identity with His actions. He never compared Himself to others, trying to prove Himself or find approval. He acted from His identity, not to gain His identity. 

Part of the reason Jesus always acts from His identity—not for His identity—is because of what happened at His baptism.

As Jesus was coming out of the water, the Holy Spirit came to rest on Jesus, and the Father’s voice from heaven declared, “You are my Son, the Beloved; with you I am well pleased” (Mark 1:11).

Before Jesus had done anything significant; before anyone was healed or any demons were cast out; before He had preached any sermons or told any parables; before He had answered anyone’s question with another question; before He had called out the Pharisees or cleared out the temple, or laid down His life on the cross and defeated death—before He had done any of these things, the Father delights in the Son: “With you I am well pleased.”

Imagine the gladness and joy you would feel if the most important person in the world to you said they love you and are pleased with you. 

And imagine they say this to you not because you had done something amazing, not because you’re so easy to talk to—but just because they are pleased to be around you. 

This was always Jesus’ mission: to bring others into the joyful family of the Father so they could hear the same words from the Father, “With you I am well pleased.”

From Does God Really Like Me? by Cyd Holsclaw and Geoff Holsclaw