Message Magazine’s Online Devotional for Thursday, June 18, 2015
Based Upon Galatians 3:26
“For ye are all the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus.” (Galatians 3:26).
Oftentimes children fantasize about being someone else. Boys may want to be superheroes or soldiers, and girls may want to be princesses or tenderhearted mommies. Children who are living in poverty might fantasize about having unlimited wealth where simple things like consistent meals and properly fitting clothing abound, along with the blessing of adequate shelter. Some of our childhood fantasies are healthy, while others a far from it. But, more often than not, as our little minds develop, and our practical life experiences increase with each passing year, our identities are no longer wrapped up in our fantastical imaginations.
Yet, there are many, too, who for whatever reason, never move beyond those stages. Some just create new fantasies that may be a hiding place from unresolved pain or abuse. Or perhaps these fantasies give some people identities to hopefully rise higher than their perception of their current circumstances.
Our God has created every single one of us with a purpose. The Bible says, “Even every one that is called by my name: For I have created him for my glory, I have formed him; yea, I have made him.” (Isaiah 43:7). Every person, whether male or female, regardless of culture or race, has been created to relish in the glory of God. Sadly, so many have either never heard of this, or have yet to receive the good news that when we accept God into our hearts by faith, we are recreated “To the praise of the glory of his grace, wherein he hath made us accepted in the beloved. In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace;” (Ephesians 1:6–7). When we accept Jesus in to our lives, we no longer need to fantasize about being someone else, or bury our very real pain beneath the facades of our assumed identities. In Christ, we become new creatures, with new and holy identities, headed for a new world where sin and sadness will be no more. Will we have trials as we await the Lord’s return? Yes? Will we suffer sometimes? Yes. Will we need help to resolve emotional turmoil and pain? Yes. But, “…in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us.” (Romans 8:37).
When we accept Jesus in to our lives, we no longer need to fantasize about being someone else, or bury our very real pain beneath the facades of our assumed identities.
Above all, friends, “Think about the things of heaven, not the things of earth. For you died to this life, and your real life is hidden with Christ in God. And when Christ, who is your life, is revealed to the whole world, you will share in all his glory.” (Colossians 3:2–4, NLT).
