How well do you know yourself? This week I came across a quote that said, “I am who He says I am.” I read it and understood it as it was, never really thinking too much into it. This Sunday, as I was sitting in church and the Pastor said something that made me rethink that quote; he said, “God, show me the me You know.” I had to pause and contemplate. See, I believed who I thought I was, was who God knew me to be.

Take this as an example: My name is Jayla, I’m twenty-one years old, 4’11, a student at the University of Central Florida… Do I think I’m the prettiest, no. Do I think I’m the smartest, no. Hair always a mess, I’m even a little overweight for my height (so they say, lol). I’m far from perfect, I make mistakes and fail Him daily.  I thought my choices defined me, I thought my physical appearance defined me, but they don’t. This is not the me that God knows. I had to do some soul searching before I could even begin to understand who God said I was.

There are people who go their whole lives not knowing their true self…The enemy will try to keep you away from the truth because when you know the truth (Jesus) you gain power over him and your situations. He doesn’t want you to know that you have a purpose and that God has intentions for your life.  Jeremiah 1:5 says, “Before I formed you in the womb I knew you…”  There is a you, that never worries, there’s a you that never engaged with things of this world, there’s a you that never did all the things you are ashamed of and God knows that “you”.

Lauren Daigle said it best in her song titled, “You Say”

“You say I am loved when I can’t feel a thing
You say I am strong when I think I am weak
You say I am held when I am falling short
When I don’t belong, You say I am Yours”

Think about it, God created us, He knows everything about us, yet: He still loves us, forgives us, shows us grace and mercy day in and day out. Obviously, He sees something in us that we don’t even perceive. I learned that I am not who I say I am, I’m not who my teachers say I am, I’m not who my parents or friends say I am, I’m definitely not who my enemies say I am, but I am who God says I am. I believe that when we know our true selves, we can be more confident in walking in our purpose and not worrying what others think. I leave you with this question: Who are you?

xoxo, Jayla