He has removed our sins as far from us as the east is from the west. —Psalm 103:12
This verse has taken a whole new meaning to me. Since my wrist slashing debacle, I have been forced to wrestle with some issues that I conveniently stuff into the junk drawers of my mind. Oh don’t act like you don’t do it either! We all have things we put away in a mental pile to be dealt with the day after never. The problem with laying in bed for 17 days is that you can’t do anything but think. It was the spring cleaning of my mind… in summer.
If you know anything about me, you know that I’m fiercely competitive and driven by achievement. [Did I tell you the time I made one my student ministry boys walk on a broken ankle so we could continue on in a kickball tournament? Yeah, not my shining moment, people.] Though great skills within the leadership arena, those twin values could also be my greatest enemies.
David refers to his sins being removed from one spacial dimension to the complete opposite: east to the west. Mulling over this concept [again, I was in bed for 17 days] caused me to parallel David’s realization to my value and my identity. What does a girl who finds her identity in scratching things off her to-do list do when she can’t even hold a pen?
- Bang her head on a pillow [just for dramatics]
- Cry
- Lay in a state of comatose
- Finally, realize achievement, success, and completion have nothing to do with my identity
If you think this is license to go buck-wild and be a lethargic vat of lard, you’re trippin’. I’ve simply come to the conclusion that my value and identity is not in merit, achievement, or success, but in the wounded hands of my Savior… who thankfully can hold a pen, unlike me in my schnazzy wrist brace.
We can say our identity is in Him. We can sing about our value as He sees us. We can quote scripture. But can we really believe it when there is nothing else for us to hide behind? Friends, as far as east is from the west, know who you are is not what you do.
Speaking of east to west, if you’re on either coast, I’d love to hang out! Tonight I’ll be at Mission Viejo in southern California at Mount of Olives Church for a women’s event. I’d love to see your face and meet you if I can! If you’re on the east coast, I’ll be in Atlanta for an intimate event of worship with Carlos Whittaker and a word from yours truly on October 6th. Click on the links for more info and let me know if you’ll be coming through. 🙂
You know your post today reminds me of a song by Christian music group CASTING CROWNS 🙂 It’s called “East to West” and is wonderful to listen to and like your post, is based on that Bible verse about how God has cast our sin as far as the east is from the west. In the song, the “sinner” is asking God to tell him “Jesus, just HOW FAR is the EAST to the West”? And Jesus answers, “From one scarred hand to another” (representing Christ’s nailed hands on stretching out on the cross which symbolizes our sins are forgiven because Jesus paid it all with his death on the Cross of Calvary).
It’s a beautiful song. You should check it out sometime! 🙂
Best wishes for a continued recovery! Glad you’re back to posting on your blog!! 🙂
So well-timed, it isn’t funny! Thanks for this word. 🙂
Great post!
We have 100 women at our church (a small church of 500) going through the Freedom In Christ Bible Study right now. It is POWERFUL stuff . . . realizing the TRUTHS of GOD’s WORD, and who we REALLY are.
I’m coming to L.A. in January. Maybe we can meet up.
🙂 🙂 🙂
I would LOVE to! Keep me posted 🙂
Words don`t convey how much this means to me…muchas garcias
Thank you for this honest post. Your blog is a blessing to my life and the life of many, many others. Love!
Bianca;
When we ask God to teach us and make us more like Him, He often does this in ways we would never expect. Sometimes He has to knock us flat on our butts and keep us still so that we can hear and discover His greatest lessons. None of us would ever ask for painful circumstances or medical conditions (and I am grateful that the Lord is working a quick recovery for you), but God knows what it will take for us to receive His truths.
May He continue to lead you on this precious lesson of Who and where our identity lies, and may you have numerous opportunities to teach this to others.
Be blessed,
Monica
Can I just say that I am SO happy that you really took this time off to evaulte self and Christ! Some people would of lounged around and been a bum, but you totally seeked what the Lord was trying to teach you. Love it!
All I kept imaging was Rico limping around that field…Oh memories.
Powerful. I definitely forgot this important truth. Now, a big sigh of relief:)
This is so so great! as a fellow “look at all I have checked off my to-do list” girl, I totally struggle with this! Thank you for your great words of wisdom.
XOXO
Amen.
I love that. If you keep going North, you’ll eventually be going South, but if you keep going East of West, you never reach the other one, you just keep going in the same direction forever…THAT is how far the East is from the West.
Doesn’t matter what we’ve done, who we are..just matters the He is in us. Makes me wonder why I stress so much…
Wow! Wish I could attend the event you’re speaking at this weekend! I’m going to be in the Atlanta area this weekend as well, but I’m attending a friend’s wedding reception Saturday. Disappointed that it fell on the same day. Would love to hear you speak sometime and meet you. Your blog posts are such a huge encouragement to me. Especially over this year as I’ve been dealing with some really big trials. Thanks for sharing His love, Bianca!
I can’t tell you how encouraging this post is.
I will be separated from my family, friends, and job for a few months, and realize since the familiarity and usual obligations have been stripped away that there is really nothing left of me at all except who I am in Christ.
I feel so uncomfortably naked, and yet it is the best position to be in.