For he chose us in him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in his sight. In love he predestined us to be adopted as his sons through Jesus Christ, in accordance with his pleasure and will— Ephesians 1:3-5.

The last couple of weeks I have been somewhat dwelling on the issue of acceptance, so much so that I lost focus of the things I needed to be doing to get to where I need to be. And it has become clear to me that this is one area in a Christian’s life where the enemy always wants to engage us.

It can be a subtle thing at times. For example, I was speaking with a friend just last week and I told her that I noticed that she seemed to have difficulty accepting a compliment; that she would not allow herself any credit when someone told her how they were blessed by her. Quite frankly, she is a pretty amazing person and people let her know it. But for whatever reason, she seems to have difficulty accepting it.

At other times it can be a little more paralyzing. I have always thought of myself as having very high self esteem and I can safely say that most people who know me perceive that I am a person who is sure of herself. And in most areas of my life I can say that I am in fact sure of myself. But I’m going to be honest here, in the area of acceptance, when the enemy strikes me there, it paralyzes me. And he did just that to me during the Thanksgiving holiday.

Satan has a way of placing doubt in our minds while reminding us of past rejection in order to move us away from the purpose God has for our lives. The idea that we are for whatever reason not who someone wanted or wants or who someone accepts can blind us, at least temporarily, to the truth of who we are in Christ Jesus. But God is so clear in showing His acceptance of us in His word. He tells us of how He sent His Son, Jesus, to die for us just so that He can forgive us and restore a broken relationship with us. He tells us that we are in fact accepted by Him just as we are when we come to Christ. There are no hoops to jump through. We don’t have to prove ourselves worthy to Him. No need for perfectionism. You don’t have to have any level of education, the right job/career, live in the right neighborhood or drive the right car. He accepts us just as we are because it is His “pleasure and will.”

This morning I was awaken at 4:00 a.m. While my first instinct was to simply turn over and go right back to sleep, I felt the need to go to my “quiet place.” God has wanted to deal with me as it relates to this issue during the last week and, I have to admit, I have been avoiding Him. But not this morning. As I sat in the dark and waited on Him, He said to me, “dejate llevar por Mi amor,” “lose yourself in My love.” That’s it. I have His acceptance and His love. What more could I possibly need?

How great is the love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are! 1 John 3:1.