Remind Me Who I am

I have been enjoying a song lately written by Jason Gray, called 'Remind Me Who I am.'

It is only way too easy for me to judge who I am based on my mistakes and failures of the past. A most common thought in my mind is something along the lines of "why do you think anyone will listen to you? It's not like you have done such a great job in your life." I'm sure there are some of you out there that can identify with me. When I look in the mirror I see someone who has made poor choices, spoken harsh and judgmental words of anger, purposely stepped out of God's will to accomplish my own agenda, and have struggled with jealously and selfishness. However, this is exactly what Satan wants us to see. He wants us to not be able to see God's grace and mercy in our lives. He wants us to remember the dirty, beggar we were before we accepted Christ's atonement for our sins.

In my quiet time of devotions and prayer, I have been reading through Exodus. I can identify with Moses. His life seemed to be on track in the early years, he was smart, confident and capable. However, in one moment of pride, anger and self assurance, he became a wanderer. Now what the world calls failure, God calls opportunity. It was only once Moses was humbled from the Prince of Egypt to a lowly shepherd that God was able to show himself to Moses. God's grace grabbed Moses!

I don't honestly know how many years elapsed from the time God called Moses at the burning bush to the time he and the children of Israel were camped around the base of Mount Sinai, but I think it is safe to say more than a few years have passed. Over this time, God has been communicating with Moses.

In Exodus 33:12-23, Moses questions God. It isn't a doubtful question, or a ridiculing one. It is a question needing assurance.

"You have told me, 'I know you by name and I look favorably on you...'" Moses goes on to ask God to not leave him, not send him out in the wilderness as the leader of the Israelites alone. He wants God's continued favor and guiding, knowing he is not, in his own strength and abilities able to take them where they are supposed to go.

What I find most encouraging in this exchange between God and Moses is God's reply to him.

"I will personally go with you, Moses, and I will give you rest - everything will be fine for you."

If we look closely, we will see three things. First, God's promise to Moses. God promises not only that he will personally be with Moses during the journey, but also that there will be times of rest given. Life is hard, and many times during our struggles we long for rest, a reprieve from our trials. God promises that he will be with us and meet this very important need we have, not according to our schedule or expectation, but as it fits with God's planned purposes for our life. The next thing I notice here is the use of Moses' name. God could easily have omitted this, as he was speaking directly to Moses with no one else present. Saying 'I will personally go with you and I will give you rest....' would have been amazing. However, the use of Moses' name indicates that he was personally acquainted with Moses. They were close. Friends. Not equals, but definitely in relationship. The last thing in this statement from God is very important to hear correctly. "...everything will be fine for you." Notice, not everything will be easy, or fun, or pleasant. This is not a promise of the absence of trials or difficulty, but rather it is the calm assurance that God will work circumstance and events out exactly the way they need to be to accomplish His will in Moses' life, and this is exactly what Moses was asking for.

As I have read this story before, I know that Moses' life and calling was not an easy one. There were many trials, and many joys. Times where Moses disobeyed God and was disciplined, and many times where God lavishly loved Moses and the children of Israel in spite of their grumblings, disbelief and disobedience. This gives me hope.

When Satan comes to us, and reminds us of our failures and consistent shortcomings, look to the cross for hope and assurance. See yourself as Christ sees you, a redeemed child, beloved, worthy of great sacrifice. And after you have seen, live! Live like Christ sees you. Define yourself not by your past, your weaknesses or mistakes, but by grace. And in living in grace, show that to the world. The best way to do that is with the unshakable joy of Jesus in your heart, a smile on your face and hands ready to help others. Lavish love on people around you. Generous, abundant love. Love that defies logic, and can only be a product of overflowing grace from God.

Shine. Not so that the world sees you, but that through you the world may see Christ.

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Remind Me Who I am - Jason Gray

When I lose my way,

And I forget my name

Remind me who I am

In the mirror all I see

Is who I don't wanna be

Remind me who I am

In the loneliest places

When I can't remember what grace is

Tell me, once again

Who I am to You, who I am to You

Tell me, lest I forget

Who I am to You, that I belong to You

To You

When my heart is like a stone,

And I'm running far from home

Remind me who I am

When i can't receive Your love

Afraid I'll never be enough

Remind me who I am

If I'm Your beloved

Can You help me believe it

Tell me, once again

Who I am to you, who I am to You, whoa

Tell me, lest I forget

Who I am to You, that I belong to You

To You

I'm the one You love,

I'm the one You love

That will be enough

I'm the one You love

Tell me once again

Who I am to you, who I am to You

Tell me, lest I forget

Who I am to you, that I belong to You