I sat around the table with my brother and sister-in-law last week laughing, sharing stories and enjoying our time together. We had put the kids to bed early and were relishing in an adult only meal. Somehow a name of a company came up in discussion so my sister-in-law looked up their website. What came up was a dark screen with three bold white words displayed. The words seemed to stand up on the page, drawing your eye and causing you to interpret their meaning before you ever saw any more of their website.
Agility. Discipline. Performance.
Three small words to describe a whole company. Within each of those words though, I am sure there is a depth of meaning that only can be understood by being a part of that company, either as a customer or as an employee.
My sister-in-law then turned the question to us, “If you only had three words to describe yourself, what would they be?”
Phillip, my brother and my sister-in-law all quickly went around and said three words to describe themselves. They each described themselves perfectly. But when it got to me…
Ugh…I’m not sure.
Hesitation.
What was that about?
I certainly could pick three words for each of them, but why was it so hard for me to pick three words for myself? Did that mean I was unsure of myself? Did that mean that I had no sense of where I had been and where I was headed?
In a dramatic sense, who was I?!
I laughed and said, “Can I just say Lover. Of. Jesus.?”
We sat there together and thought of three words to describe me well and the conversation went on but the question stuck with me.
“If you only had three words to describe yourself, what would they be?”
And I ask you, reader, if you only had three words to describe yourself, what would they be? Maybe you know your answer. Maybe your list comes immediately. But maybe you are like me and it is actually a harder question than you expect.
But the question is a worthwhile one to ask of yourself.
The three words that we came up with to describe me were – Faithful. Kind. Social. While those words do describe my personality, my tendencies and my nature, the true me…and the true you and anyone who is in Christ…could be summed up in these three words-
Chosen. Known. Loved.
And then you could add, “by Him.” to all three of the words.
I am chosen by Him.
I am known by Him.
I am loved by Him.
You, my friend, are chosen by Him. You are known by Him. You are loved by Him.
Sure, we all have three different words to describe ourselves – those are all the beautiful things that make up a unique and diverse humanity – but the person who you truly are is one who is chosen, one who is known, and one who is loved by the triune God.
This is a message that I will say until I am dead because it is of such importance that we understand who we truly are in Christ. And it is a message that I have to remind myself of over and over and truthfully, I am only beginning to grasp the depth of each of these words. I won’t be able to fully understand them until I am with Christ.
Let’s give these words some scripture to back it up –
Chosen – “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 for adoption to sonship through Jesus Christ, in accordance with his pleasure and will.” Ephesians 1:4-5
Known – But you, O Lord, know me; you see me and test my heart toward you.” Jeremiah 12:3
Loved – “But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” Romans 5:8
Those are just three references. There are plenty more. And there are plenty more words to describe anyone who is in Christ –
Forgiven
Righteous
Blameless
Redeemed
New creation
Holy
Justified
Accepted
Sealed
Image bearer of God himself
God’s handiwork
Heirs with Christ
Citizen of heaven
Child of God
Beloved
Alive
Again, those are just some of the breathtaking words that God has placed on you when you called Him yours.
Take time today to come up with three words to describe yourself. It’s fun! But don’t stop there. Then look at those words in light of the words God uses to describe you. I guarantee that your words will be incomparable with His words.
You are chosen, you are known, you are loved.
God, thank you that even though you knew and know my darkest sin and struggle, you chose me and you love me.
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