Voices

Have you ever considered all the voices that speak into your life and how they affect you? I grew up in a simpler time. No computers, cell phones, social media and it was great! We had one wall phone with a 6 foot cord. We had one television and we watched what our parents would let us watch. Now I had great parents. They were the first voices in my head and they spoke Gods word to me. Then the community, then school and kids, and then later came all the things I mentioned earlier. I’ve never considered myself a smart or handsome person and often lack confidence in things I’m asked to do. Why? Why do you think less of yourself than you really are? Voices. For me, it started with what other kids would say or do. Like being the only one not invited to things. I was never part of the “in crowd”. As I grew up, the voices telling me negative things got louder and the voices of Gods word got quieter. Soon I found myself full on living in a sinful way. Doing whatever I could to make me feel good. But it didn’t ever really feel that good for long. I eventually returned to the voice of Gods word but it took years. Fast forward to today. Our kids have so many more voices because they have social media where everyone else’s life looks perfect and theirs doesn’t. Their confidence slowly erodes and they begin viewing themselves as less than they are. Kids today are suffering with depression and anxiety like never before. Gods word is being stilled by the voices of the world. What does God say about you? Ephesians 2:10 says: For we are Gods handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.
We are Gods masterpiece. Think about this for a hot minute. You are the most valued of all he created, and he created the universe and all that is in it!! The voices telling you anything else but that, are wrong! You are beautiful and smart and fully capable of doing what God prepared you to do. He gave you the task and the special ability to do it. He wants you to have confidence in him. We can be sure that we can do what he asks because he wouldn’t send us to do something that he didn’t already prepare us for. Stop being down on yourselves! See you as God sees you and go do what he has for you to do without fear! He’s got you my friend! Listen to the voice that matters. Listen to God!
Father in heaven, I pray for my friends in Christ and for myself, that we would see ourselves clearly from your eyes. Give us courage and help us to fully trust you and to do all that you have prepared for us and what you have prepared us for! Amen

Love y’all! Your Gods masterpiece!