Messages have been directed towards us since the day be breathed our introductory breath. Some of the first we heard first were, "Shhhh," and "Don't cry."
When we were a little older we heard,
"Sit still"
"Speak up"
"Finish your dinner"
"Don't eat too much"
Once school started it was, "Don't talk in class," and, "Don't talk to strangers."
Talking in class is pretty much the only thing I ever got in trouble for. I can't help it. I like to laugh.
School was filled with messages.
"You're not applying yourself."
"You could do so much better."
"You'll never get into college with these grades."
"You'll never amount to anything, why try so hard?"
We were forced to participate in all kinds of school activities (of which gym class was my least favorite of all). Some of us were forced to be in church every time the doors were open. Some made to endure music lessons even though they lacked talent and desire. Still others lived lives where they were forced to do things unspeakable.
Commercials send us messages.
We hear messages from parents, our spouse, teachers, and friends.
Movies and television share their opinions with us.
Politicians -- nope, not going there.
Music has a message too.
Over the course of a lifetime we are filled with even more messages from church and Christian teaching. Some of us became really good at knowing how to be a Christian without ever actually becoming one.
But what if we've missed the message entirely?
What if it's so much more and simpler than we imagined?
"You're not good enough," the world says.
"I love you as you are," God says.
"Nobody cares," the world says.
"You are not alone," God says.
Sometimes we need to not listen to the messages around us and give heed to the author of the only message that matters.
The message of eternity.
Your life is worth so much more than what the world is trying to sell you.
Even on the days when you feel worthless, you matter. God loves you.
His message is one you can trust.
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