Theme:   All I Want for Christmas is to Make Things OK

This eDevotional was written by a volunteer from Timberlake Church. 

READ: John 8:31-36, Philippians 1:6

THINK:  One of the greatest desires we have is to be deeply known and accepted. This truth is most evident within the context of our closest relationships. But how can we expect another to know us deeply and accept us unconditionally if we first do not offer this to ourselves?

The fifth century Greek Philosopher, Socrates said, “…the unexamined life is not worth living.” Seeking understanding about ourselves and our past is useful in setting us free from unproductive and unhealthy patterns.  Proverbs 3:5-6 says, “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding, in all your ways acknowledge him, and He will make your paths straight.” God has a powerful way of showing us our own hearts, motivations and needs if we are open to seeing ourselves the way God does. When we are open to the truth about ourselves, we have an immediate sense of power. Even when the truth about ourselves is distasteful, the truth always gives power and freedom. Power to change the things that need changing, and freedom from things that bind us. It’s like coming out of the dark into the light. Jesus says, “If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples.  Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.” (John 8:31-32 niv). Knowing the truth about ourselves will not devastate us, it will set us free.

If self-awareness is the first step in a long journey to growth, then self-acceptance is the next leg. Brennan Manning in Ragamuffin Gospel writes, “The more fully we accept ourselves, the more successfully we begin to grow.”  He goes on to say, “When we accept ourselves for what we are, we decrease our hunger for power or the acceptance of others because our self-intimacy reinforces our inner sense of security. We are not preoccupied with being powerful or popular.  We no longer fear criticism because we accept the reality of our human limitations.  Once integrated, we are less often plagued with the desire to please others because simply being true to ourselves brings lasting peace.  We are grateful for life, and we deeply appreciate and love ourselves.”

Loving ourselves doesn’t mean self-indulgence. It just means that we see, know, and care for ourselves the way God does. To the degree that we can accept God’s love for ourselves, we can extend that love to the people in our closest relationships. When we get filled up with God’s love and light for our lives, then we are able to give it away to others.

DO:  Take some time to look at yourself, your past, your needs and your motivations. Take inventory of the events in life that have affected you most deeply and ask God to reveal to you how those things affect your life and relationships today. Make a point of dealing with the things of the past so they don’t steal your future.

PRAY: Help me Jesus, to know and accept myself the way you do. Help me to offer the same kindness and grace to others that you have offered me. Amen.