Who Told You?

Today I am at home with a six year old who is not feeling well, and a 2 year old who is, along with having a head cold myself. So, today you are getting a post I posted a year ago. Yet it is still such a great one for today. The great thing about writing is that you can revisit and remember the lessons God has shown you, refresh yourself in them. Have a great day!

“…the man and his wife heard the sound of the Lord God as he was Lord God called to the man, Where are you? He answered, I heard you in the garden, and I was afraid because I was naked; so I hid. And He said, “Who told you that you were naked?…” Genesis 3:8-11 NIV

Yesterday on “Tuesday’s with Tracy”, Tracy wrote about Mary, and Gabriel’s message for her. Mary’s response to this word from God was “But How? When I have never slept with a man”, Gabriel’s answer was simple, “Nothing, you see is impossible with God!” Tracy’s question for us was “what is Your ‘but how, I’ve never…’ ?” “But how, I’ve never gotten a degree..” or “But how, I’ve never been successful..”

Genesis tells us of Adam and Eve’s demise, their fall to sin. When God comes looking for them they are hiding in the garden. (Ok, that makes alot of sense, hiding from All-present, All-knowing God. Yet how many of us try to do just that? But I digress.) When God finally “finds” them, they ashamedly admit why they were hiding, “…I was afraid because I was naked..” . God’s response here was “Who told you that you were naked?“.

We do not know how long Adam and Eve lived in the Garden before the fall, maybe centuries, maybe millenia, because before this there was no death. They had lived this whole time unashamed and walking freely with God, and suddenly NOW they realize their nakedness? They know they will be exposed for the failures they are if they stand before God. However, when God finally does find them He asks, “Who told you that you were naked?”

In this world there are two voices crying out to us. I ask you the same question God asked Adam. Who told you that you were naked? God says you are “clothed with the garments of salvation, that you are covered with the robe of righteousness.” (Isaiah 61:10) If God says you are not naked, you are worthy to stand before the King, then what idiot told you that you were naked?!

In everything you believe about yourself, ask this question, “Who told me…?” “Who told me I was a failure? Who told me I could not be what I was meant to be?” Stop asking “But how I’ve never”, and start declaring  “Nothing you see is impossible with God!”. Begin to throw out the things that God did not say about you, and choose to believe the good things. You are a success! You are valued! You are Beautiful! You are divinely placed here with a destiny and purpose for your life!