How do you see yourself? What is your view of your value to the world, to God, or to other people?

Peter was a disciple of Jesus who was just a simple fisherman. Jesus saw more in him. He saw greatness. He saw a leader who would change the face of the church. Peter doubted himself and Jesus. Even at the point of the time of Jesus’s death, but Jesus knew there was more to Peter and He spoke what he saw and Peter chose to believe it.

In Matthew 16:16 Jesus said. You are Peter and, on this rock, I will build my church. His name Peter means rock. Peter = Petros = Rock.  Peter chose to see himself as the rock and that changed how he acted from that point on.

When Peter saw himself as Jesus saw him. The rock on whom he would build his church. He started acting like that man. Jesus see’s our value long before we ever do.

After my first marriage failed and other things which caused my doubt in God, I was never sure God had use for me. Until an encounter in Starbucks left me with no doubt of His love and how much I meant to Him personally. He showed me in scriptures, I was the Apple of His eye and He would protect me. If anyone tried to hurt me, they were touching the Apple of His eye. Which He did not like and would not tolerate. (my paraphrase of the scripture He gave me that day).

Marsha = Apple of Gods Eye, this made me see my value. I finally started living up to my potential.

Once I had this encounter with God, where He called me the Apple of His eye, the negative self-talk ended. I believed in myself.

We can’t continue to talk negatively about ourselves and expect to see positive results in our lives. We have to change the way we think and act. That is what repentance actually is. The very definition of repentance is “To change the way you think and act.” I changed my stars!

Jesus knew if we could not get past how we see ourselves, we would be stuck in a vicious cycle and never truly be free. He gave us the keys through His redemption.

By changing the way, I think about myself (i.e., I am the Apple of Gods eye) and changing the way I acted.  I began to be someone who was worthy enough to be in that special of a position. My life really changed. Yours can too.

We have made repentance all about sin and judgement and pointing fingers at each other and this has turned people away from God entirely. I find it hard to believe the God I serve is only concerned about sins. He went to so much trouble to get to me. He is the one who has sought me at my lowest point in life just to show me how special I am to Him in spite of all my failures.

Don’t get me wrong. Once you start serving Him, you won’t want to live the life you once lived before. Jesus loves you as you are right now. He sees who you were created to be. The potential living inside of you is just clawing at the surface waiting to be released.

It’s up to you. Will you live up to your potential? Or will you continue to be a part of the status quo? Never really satisfied with your life, hungry for so much more. Uncertain for what it is, but never trusting God enough to let Him show you His plan. Change your stars today too!

©2021 Marsha L. Brown