You’re blessed when you are content with just who you are – no more, no less. That’s the moment you find yourselves proud owners of everything that can’t be bought   .- Matthew 5:5 MSG

The comparison game is strong my friend, and I think we can all admit it’s no fun. Neither are some of these other games we get suckered into playing: the shame game, the frantically-trying- to-keep- up-with- the-new- idea-of- beautiful game, or the really not fun do-they- like-me game. I think we all know we were meant for more than this toxic stuff, but stopping the madness and loving who God made you to be, the life you live, and the current season you are in can just seem like such a trench-plagued, uphill climb. For years, all I had were confident moments and short spans of time when I felt beautiful and gifted. Just as quickly as these feelings rushed in, they sauntered out, and at their very best were far from steady and even farther from actually being enough.

“Blessed [joyful, nourished by God’s goodness] are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness [those who actively seek right standing with God], for they will be [completely] satisfied.”
– Matthew 5:6 AMP

“For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who has been tempted in every way as we are, yet without sin. Therefore, let us approach the throne of grace with boldness, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in time of need.”
– Hebrews 4:6 CSB

Friend, God’s Word makes it clear: if we want a steady supply of the good things He has in store for us, then we have to seek those things from the Good Source, Himself. So many of us have spent years rummaging through crumbs beneath the table, trying to piece together a self-esteem that sustains, and suffer many scuffed and skinned knees when it doesn’t. What the Lord has recently taught me is that true confidence and a genuine liking of who you are is not possible outside of Him. There is no such thing as self-esteem because we have no idea how to adequately esteem ourselves. The only answer is the Father’s transforming (agape) love.

So, I want you to know that while I wrote, “Holy And Set Apart” on the topic of discovering who you are in Christ and how incredible and life-changing God’s love is, I am still exploring this myself. I hope these lessons I have learned so far, and prayers I have prayed throughout my own journey to living loved come along side you in yours. I hope these scripture soaked truths offer a hearty glimpse of God’s heart for you. I hope the Lord uses this devotional to lavish so much worth onto you that you would never need to look anywhere else but Him for more. Together, let’s you and I brush away those tiny crumbs that always left us hungry, take the Father’s hand, and claim our seats at His table… where there is always plenty to go around.

– Kelly