Friday, March 18, 2011

My Bio
By Lexi Cole

“You have searched me, Lord, and you know me.”
Psalm 139:1a

At the end of each Fresh Start devotional is a two-sentence bio - - a short description of who the writer is. According to my bio, I am a student, a future teacher and hold a ministry role. Other bios identify women as mothers, wives, professionals or by their ministry roles.

Along with those things, there are situational descriptors that change with time: I’m a full-time student. I used to be “currently studying abroad in Scotland,” but that changed when I came back. There are relational descriptors: I’m a daughter, sister, niece, granddaughter, friend and girlfriend. With that last kind of descriptor, I began to look at God’s descriptors for us in His Word.


We are made in His image, created to do great things. In the beginning, God creates a world of intricate structure and beauty…and it is good. But He finishes with His masterpiece - - humanity in perfect oneness with Him - - and it is very good. That is the hope of our future and complete restoration! Paul writes that “being confident of this, that He who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion” (Phil. 1:6).

We are children of God. Jesus addresses crowds by saying “your Heavenly Father” multiple times and the Apostle Paul uses the phrase “God’s children.” John the Apostle writes, “Yet all who received Him, to those who believed in His name, He gave the right to become children of God” (John 1:12).

We are active ambassadors of Christ. Being Spirit-led, we are the hands and feet of Christ. We are a light in a dark and suffering world. We are called to be others-focused by living radically different and selfless lives.


Scripture is filled with descriptors God has for us. We are His workmanship. We are His servants. We are His Bride. We are His People. We are His joy. We are receivers-of-His-gift. We are justified. We are purified. We are forgiven. We are renewed. We are transformed. We are unbelievably loved. We are set free. We are victorious. We are redeemed. We are advocates for His justice. The list goes on and on…

These descriptors are permanent and relational. While there will be a time when I won’t describe myself as a full-time student, the descriptors God has for me and you will never change. No matter what unbelievable pain, struggle or trial we face, we serve a God who is constant in His descriptors for us. My bio may be two short sentences at the bottom of a devo, but our God has a looooong list of beautiful descriptors in His Word!

GOING DEEPER:
1. Think of your descriptors – literally and spiritually.
2. What spiritual descriptor is hardest for you? Pray the Holy Spirit would continually remind you of this eternal truth this week.

FURTHER READING:
Psalm 139(1)

Lexi is an Elementary Education major at Bethel University. The last two summers, she’s been the Children’s Ministries intern at Oakwood.

(1) In addition, http://oakwoodnow.org/index.php?nid=92564&s=mn&grpid=48850&grpDetails=true has an extensive list of descriptors God has for us with verses as well.
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