“Anyone”
Therefore, if anyone is in Christ [that is, grafted in, joined to Him by faith in Him as Savior], he is a new creature [reborn and renewed by the Holy Spirit]; the old things [the previous moral and spiritual condition] have passed away. Behold, new things have come [because spiritual awakening brings a new life].
2 Corinthians 5:17 AMP
Oh, that beautiful word, “anyone” gives me such hope I can hardly articulate the joy that fills my soul! Nearly 7 years ago this verse became alive to me! While I met the Lord at a very young age and walked with Him for many years, God highlighted for me the load I was carrying in my attempt to measure up to society’s demands. On one hand, I presented myself as a confident, smart, caring, God-serving, loving, understanding person. This was the self that I thought I had to be, in order to be accepted. This was the self I thought I needed to be to gain respect. It was the self I projected out to the world/church. On the other hand, my hidden self was drowning in what felt like a sea of emotions that no “good girl” should ever feel. I felt a huge amount of disappointment in myself and others, I worried that I couldn’t get things right or didn’t measure up, I worried about making mistakes, looking stupid and I was angry, but I didn’t realize it. It was all covered up by my projected self. God, in his lavish love, gently showed me that the projected and hidden were all based on my past experiences. As the Lord and I have journeyed through the healing process, He reminds me that by faith, I am in Christ Jesus and my true identity is in Him! I don’t have to perform for Him to love me and in Him I am enough!
Hallelujah! The old way of seeing myself was nailed to the cross and I have been awakened to the newness of life in the risen Christ!
Healing is an ongoing process. Sometimes it’s messy and hard, life isn’t perfect. However, the comfort that comes in being awakened to the fact that I am a child of God in Christ, enables me to show up and be present to live the life I have been given with wonder and thanksgiving.
Whenever I start to feel that life is too difficult and I’m at my weakest, He gently reminds me that the strong arms of Jesus can hold… anyone.
Vickie Rankins-Anderson
New Hope Christian Church
Toledo, Ohio