For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for good and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope. Jeremiah 29:11
From the time we can walk, we hear expectations of us. “Clean your room.” “Pick up your clothes.” “Wash your hands.” “Tell the truth.” “Be nice.” “Share your toys.” “Brush your teeth.” Those things are good to do, especially if it’s mom telling us. But at that age we’re a long way from knowing who we are. We learn quickly that the things we do or don’t do have consequences. If we do what we’re told, we soon believe we’re a good person. If we don’t do what we’re told, we can learn to believe we’re bad.
It doesn’t change much when we grow up. Sometimes we allow others’ expectations of us to define our lives.
I read a sad tweet yesterday. A Christian tweeted, “I won’t be satisfied with my life until I know God is satisfied with me.” He didn’t know, or chose not to believe, that God accepts us just as we are and loves us unconditionally anyway.
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