Remember Who You Are

“Remember who you are.”

Our pastor at Ada Bible weaves these words into his sermons about once a month.  The application can be used in a variety of circumstances.  Take, for example, the context of our current series, being satisfied and content in a material world.  If we remember who we are as God’s chosen people, adopted, purchased by His blood, and sealed with the Holy Spirit, how can we be unsatisfied?  We find joy and wholeness and identity in who we belong to, not in a new house, expensive car, or the clothes we wear.  Material purchases result in short-lived satisfaction; no material possession can fill a void that God desires to fill in our lives.

Steph and I have recently discussed this idea of wholeness in a different context.  While we anxiously await the arrival of our child(ren), we must be whole today.  If we’re not whole today and we feel as though we’re missing something, we’re placing the source of our joy and wholeness in a child who will be born over 2,000 years after the birth of the child who is actually the source of joy and wholeness.  This doesn’t mean we can’t be excited about our future child(ren), but if we aren’t content now, surely we won’t be content as our family grows.

“I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want.”

                                                                                     ---  Philippians 4:12

 

We highly recommend listening to the current series at Ada Bible.  Jeff Manion eloquently explains the historical context of what it meant to be adopted, redeemed, and sealed in Ephesus at the time Paul wrote his letter to the Ephesians.  Check it out here à  Ada Bible Satisfied Series

If you’d rather read Jeff Manion’s book, Satisfied: Discovering Contentment in a World of Consumption, let us know!  We’ll grab one for you!