Christian philosopher Soren Kierkegaard was driven to try to understand the human condition and what makes man tick. He came up with an insightful thesis he called “Our Three Selves.”
The more he engaged in the study of man and his disposition, the more he realized that every man’s identity is made up of three selves. Our Concrete Self. Our Ideal Self. And our True Self.
1. Our Concrete Self is who we are now at this present moment. 2. Our Ideal Self is the self we want to be. 3. Our True Self, which is the self God wants you to be. It’s a self that requires we go beyond the ego-centeredness of our other two selves and fully trust God to work out His higher purposes.
Without this leap of faith and the discovery of our true self, man tends to live in a state of despair. He toils with little fulfillment. Frustration often grips his life. And why? He’s only a fraction of the person God created him to be. James tells us, “Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.” (James 1:4)
As we grow older it seems we care less about what we should do and we start worrying more about whether we’ve lived our lives right. About legacy – our lasting contribution to our family, our world, and God.
For Abraham, his true self was about claiming God’s land of promise. (Gen. 12:1-9) His ultimate purpose and fulfillment could only be found there. And, “Abraham had faith and obeyed God. He was told to go to the land God had said would be his, and he left for a country he had never seen.” Another translation states, “He left, not knowing where he was going.” (Hebrews 11:8) He took a leap of faith trusting God who was faithful.
Do you feel you’ve discovered your true self? The full “you” God meant for you to be? Do you feel happy and fulfilled in “your skin?” Or are there deep, gnawing feelings of regret - lacking fulfillment and peace? If there is, God wants to change that today. “For we are God’s masterpiece. He created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago.” (Eph. 2:10)
His Word tells us that the steps of righteous people are not only ordered of the Lord, but He delights in their way. (Psalm 37:23-24) There is nothing better than to know God is smiling at the self we have become.
Today He stands ready to help you discover your “True Self.” (Eph. 1:22-23) That full and complete self He created you to be. “For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” (Jeremiah 29:11). That is his father-heart for you. Don’t let fear, inaction, carelessness, or unbelief keep you from God’s best. Be blessed my friend.
Glen (Pitts)
The Barnabas Group (Loads of Love)
Psalm 37:3-6, 18-19, 23-25; 149:4; Proverbs 11:20; Ephesians 1:15 - 2:10; James 1:2-4
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