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Answering the big question Who. Are. You.?

Answering the big question: Who. Are. You.? John #42

Listen to this podcast: https://www.pastorwoman.net/podcast/episode/f4d62d68/answering-the-...

When I have said or done something in a setting where I seem out of place, I have had someone turn and say to me “Who Are You?” Which being interpreted means, ‘that is not what I expected from someone who looks like you … and by the way, what are you doing here?’ Last Morning Briefing 'Who.Are You.?': https://conta.cc/2EKljDE

But when I ask you, dear reader, “Who. Are. You.?”, [as I asked a parking lot of various sizes and ages and shapes on Thursday morning at THRIVE1],

it is meant to challenge you to consider who you are,

and what makes up who you are.

Hey, what do you stand for,

and what drives you?

From what do you derive your worth?

I mean, surely you are more than the roles you play, right?

And if you have failed big time, you are more than your failure.

Part of what drove me to ask the question Who. Are. You.? is thinking of how we size up and form judgments of biblical characters about whom we are reading, including Jesus--in particular, here in the gospel of John we are studying. Another catalyst for the question is watching how folks react to our current issues and societal pressures.

While I am careful in how much ‘news’ I consume, I do keep myself apprised of things.2 But then, I catch a headline that says something about professional sports never being the same. Ugh. How is that possible? I love watching and following baseball and football, in particular . . . what in the world--never be the same? And just like that, the groundswell of the last six months o’er takes me and I think, ‘Come on, can’t we just go back to normal? Is life ever going to be the same?’ And a sinking feeling descends.

But then, I walk down the hall in my home, past pictures of Dylan and Danny in their pitching windups and catch a glimpse of myself in the mirror and say ‘wait just a minute … Who. Are. You.?’ And then I remember.

I think of a close friend whose husband decided the grass was greener with other women, leaving her and three children, whose worlds will never be the same. I think of a young woman attacked by a predator . . . whose life will never be the same. I could go on and on, but evil behavior, terminal illnesses, a wonderful Christian father riding his bike, hit by a driver who fled the scene . . . Who can make sense of these things?

And then I remember. I have no need to fear or be dismayed for very long.

I am a child of the most-high God.3

I walk with the One who holds the future and also holds my hand.4

I am the One who has a relationship with the Alpha and the Omega -

that’s right… the Beginning and the End!5

Who. Am. I.? I am the one who trusts in He who never slumbers nor sleeps…6

who was not caught off guard by Covid, shutdown of jobs and schools, or by

some painful event that is rocking your family or mine to its core!

Who. Am. I.? I belong to the One who will never leave me alone, even

if and when others leave or turn their back on me.7

Friend, if you are a follower of Jesus Christ, remember Who. You. Are.!

If you have forgotten or walked away or have never chosen to trust the Savior,

turn around and reach out for him. He never stops reaching out for you.8

Admit your need for him…

Ask him to cleanse you of sin, since he is the one to do it…having come as the righteous Son of God, willing to die on a cross, for our sins…

Ask him to lead your life - to come into your life and change you…

Accept his forgiveness, believing he has come into your life, forgiven you and is changing your heart and life through his power.

Who. Are You.? Now, look in the mirror and know that You. Are. His.

Amen! So be it.

Christine

PastorWoman.com

Oh, and this is the Scripture I cited: Whoever dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty.3

For I am the Lord your God who takes hold of your right hand and says to you, Do not fear; I will help you.4

I am the Alpha and the Omega, the First and the Last, the Beginning and the End.5

… indeed, he who watches over Israel will neither slumber nor sleep.6

“… I will never leave you nor forsake you.”7

Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with that person, and they with me.8

1 THRIVE meets on Thursday mornings in San Clemente, CA, 10 am…San Clemente Outlets, Vista Hermosa, nearest Chick-Fil-A

2 - I limit my ‘news’ (is it really?) intake to no more than 15 minutes a day, but I subscribe to Christian Headlines, which is beneficial but minimal - free at https://www.christianheadlines.com

3 - Psalm 91.1

4 - Isaiah 41.13

5 - Revelation 22.13

6 - Psalm 121.4

7 - Hebrews 13.5

8 - Revelation 3.20

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